Mirandize refers to the act of reading or reciting a Miranda warning. The requirement to give Miranda warnings came from the Supreme Court decision, Miranda v. Arizona, 384 US 436 (1966). In Miranda, the Court held that a defendant cannot be questioned by police in the context of a custodial interrogation until the defendant is made aware of the right to remain silent, the right to consult with an attorney and have the attorney present during questioning, and the right to have an attorney appointed if indigent. Note the changes to Miranda warning consequences in Vega v. Tekoh. In Vega v. Tekoh (2022) the Supreme Court held that violating Miranda Rights does not provide a basis for a § 1983 claim. Meaning, officers who fail to Mirandize individuals prior to an interrogation have qualified immunity.
[Last updated in August of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]