When are Miranda warnings required?

• A. Only during formal arrests in a police station.
• B. When a person is in custody and subjected to interrogation by law enforcement.
• C. Whenever a person is questioned by police in public.
• D. Only when a suspect requests counsel.

Answer: (B)

Miranda warnings are required whenever a person is in custody and being interrogated by law enforcement. Custody means a reasonable person wouldn’t feel free to leave—think arrest or physical restraint. Interrogation covers direct questions or any police conduct likely to elicit an incriminating response. If you’re not in custody or if there’s no questioning aimed at gathering information about a crime, Miranda doesn’t apply. Being questioned in public without custody isn’t enough, and simply asking for counsel doesn’t by itself trigger the warnings. So the situation that triggers the warnings is when someone is in custody and subjected to interrogation.