Skip to main content

Maryland v. Shatzer

Docket No.08-680
ArgumentOct 5, 2009

Holding

When the police arrest a suspect, they must tell him his Miranda rights, which include the right to a lawyer and the right to remain silent. Once the suspect requests a lawyer, the police may not question him again until he is given one, even if he later waives that right. In this case, the Court ruled that, if the suspect has been released from custody for at least fourteen days since he last requested a lawyer, the police may resume questioning him if he waives his right to a lawyer at that time. In the prison context, the police may resume questioning an inmate after he has been released into the general prison population for fourteen days.

Judgment

Reversed and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Antonin Scalia on Feb 24, 2010. Justice Thomas concurred in part and concurred in the judgment. Justice Stevens concurred in the judgment.

Welcome to SCOTUSblog

Tell us a bit about yourself so we can tailor what you see. You can update these any time in your account.