right to remain silent

right to remain silent definition - legal

n

This right must be given to a suspect in a criminal case before interrogation begins. It grows out of the Fifth AmendmentÂ’s guarantee against self-incrimination, which coupled with the Sixth AmendmentÂ’s right to counsel give us the Miranda rule. Once informed of these rights, the subject has the option of waiving them.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.