Question

An officer obtains an arrest warrant against the prime suspect in an assault case. While on his way to the suspect's residence, the officer happens to spot the suspect on the street. He follows the suspect, and shouts out to him that he has a warrant and he is under arrest. The suspect attempts to flee, but the officer catches up to him and is able to make an official arrest. While doing so, he reads the suspect his Miranda rights. Which of the following marked the point of the suspect's arrest?

Answer 1

The suspect's arrest was marked by the officer's attempt to take the suspect into custody after stating that he was under arrest, which is when the suspect's liberty was constrained. The subsequent reading of Miranda rights occurred after this point, fulfilling the legal requirements established by Miranda v. Arizona.

Step-by-step explanation:

The point of the suspect's arrest occurred when the officer, having spotted the suspect on the street and after announcing that he had a warrant, attempted to officially detain the suspect by stating that he was under arrest. The suspect's attempt to flee followed by the officer catching up to him and asserting control to take him into custody is considered the actual moment of arrest. This is when the suspect's liberty was constrained by the state, which is a hallmark of an arrest.

Under Miranda v. Arizona, it is required that suspects are informed of their Miranda rights prior to interrogation, ensuring that any statements made during custody will be admissible in court. These rights include the right to remain silent, that any statements made can be used in court, the right to an attorney, and if they cannot afford one, the state will provide one. Reading these rights, which the officer did upon detaining the suspect, is a critical step after an arrest has already been made to safeguard the constitutional rights of the arrested individual.