Final answer:
Miranda v. Arizona is the Supreme Court case that established that police must inform suspects of their rights before interrogation. This resulted in the Miranda Warning, ensuring that suspects are aware of their right to remain silent, their right to an attorney and that anything they say can be used against them in court. So, the correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. Supreme Court case that held that police must inform suspects of their rights prior to custodial interrogation is Miranda v. Arizona. In 1966, the Court ruled that in order to ensure a suspect's statements are voluntary and to protect the privilege against self-incrimination, law enforcement officials must demonstrate the use of procedural safeguards.
These safeguards require that suspects be informed of their rights to remain silent, that anything they say may be used against them in court, that they have the right to consult with a lawyer and to have one appointed if indigent, and that they can terminate the interrogation at any time.
The Miranda decision led to the creation of the Miranda Warning, which must be read to suspects prior to questioning, ensuring that confessions and other statements made during police interrogation are admissible in court only if these rights are understood and waived.
This ruling was a significant expansion of the rights of the accused and the reach of the federal government. It is a cornerstone of American criminal procedure and a cultural mainstay, frequently depicted in media and popular culture.