Edwards v. Arizona

Petitioner: Edwards; the petitioner was charged with robbery. A warrant was issued and Edwards was arrested. After Edwards was read his Miranda warnings, he immediately requested for a lawyer. The next morning, two detectives went to question Edwards without the presence of his attorney and they obtained a confession out of the petitioner.

Respondent: State of Arizona

Issue: Can the confession of Edwards be admitted as evidence?

Holding: No

Key Facts: The officer in the jail who brought Edwards to the detectives told the petitioner that he had to speak to the detectives. Edwards intially refused to speak to the detectives.

Legal Reasoning: According to Miranda v. Arizona, all police interrogation should stop when a person requests for an attorney. If an officer starts a conversation with the defendant which according to a reasonable officer is likely to result in the defendant making incriminating statements, then that conversation will be considered police interrogation. Unless the defendant voluntarily intiates the conversation, all other questioning will be seized after a defendant asks for the assistance of a counsel.

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