Issue: Are police constitutionally required to inform people in custody of their rights to remain silent and to an attorney?
Result: Yes. The Court found that the Fifth and Sixth Amendments require police to inform individuals in custody and subject to interrogation that they have a right to remain silent and to be assisted by an attorney. According to the Court, if the police fail to do so, a criminal court judge may rule that any statements made by the accused cannot be admitted as evidence during trial.
Importance: The now famous Miranda warnings are required before police custodial interrogations can begin if any evidence obtained during the interrogation is going to be used during trial.