UW News

October 12, 2011

Miranda rights in spotlight at law school forum

“You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you…” Anyone who watches TV cop shows has heard those words and the ones that follow a thousand times. Theyre called the Miranda warnings, given before custodial police interrogation and named for the landmark case, Miranda v. Arizona.

But the controversial case and the rights it guarantees have been under siege for decades.  The scope of Miranda and the availability of remedies are increasingly constricted, legal scholars say.  On Wednesday, Oct. 19, the UW Law School will offer “The Future of Miranda: A Dialogue” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 138 of William H. Gates Hall.

Participating in the program are Judge Betty B. Fletcher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Yale Kamisar, professor emeritus, University of Michigan School of Law; and John Kroger, Oregon attorney general.

Fletcher graduated first in her class at the UW Law School. She was a partner at Preston, Gates & Ellis before her appointment to the bench in 1979. Kamisar is a nationally recognized authority on constitutional law and criminal procedure.  He is the author of Police Interrogations and Confessions: Essays in Law and Policy. Kroger has devoted his entire career to public service as a United States Marine, federal prosecutor, public policy expert, teacher and chief law enforcement officer for the State of Oregon.

The event is free but registration is required.