The advisement of legal rights, stemming from a landmark Supreme Court case, is required during custodial interrogation. This means these rights must be communicated to a suspect before law enforcement initiates questioning while the suspect is in custody. An individual is considered to be in custody when their freedom of movement is significantly restricted to a degree associated with a formal arrest. The purpose is to ensure the suspect understands their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and Sixth Amendment right to an attorney before making any statements that could be used against them in court.
These rights are crucial because they protect individuals from coerced confessions. Without the advisement, any statements made during custodial interrogation are generally inadmissible as evidence in a criminal trial. The requirement ensures fairness in the criminal justice system and upholds the constitutional protections afforded to every individual, regardless of their knowledge of the law or prior experience with law enforcement. This practice also helps to maintain the integrity of investigations and ensures that convictions are based on reliable evidence obtained through lawful means.