Introduction

You’ve seen it countless number of times on television and in the movies. The police officer places the handcuffs on the wrists of the alleged perpetrator of the crime in question and then proceeds to read him his Miranda rights. It goes something like this, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you.” Most of us can recite these few sentences without hesitation, but have you ever wondered when, where, and how the recitation of the Miranda rights became standard operating procedure.

This Webquest will answer all those questions. You will go back to the very beginning, the time when the United States Supreme Court first mandated that preventative measures must be taken in order to safeguard each person’s constitutional right against self-incrimination. Then you will move forward through time as you look at the ways the Court and the United States Congress have continued to address this very important constitutional issue. Finally, you will assess the state of the law as it exists today. When you have completed this task, you should have a greater appreciation and understanding of the Miranda rights

Process

1. Go to Find the http://www.doney.net/aroundaz/phoenix-miranda.htm There is a page devoted to Miranda v. Arizona and read about Ernesto Miranda. Bullet the important facts of the case. (type 1)

2. Now go to http://www.streetlaw.org/en/Page/469/Key_Excerpts_from_the_Dissenting_ Opinion Bullet the important facts on the dissenting opinion.

3. Next go to http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1999/1999_99_5525 to locate Dickerson v. the United States. Bullet key facts of the case.

Evaluation Your job is to create a type three writing. You are going to compare and contrast the two cases. How are Miranda and Dickerson similar and how are they different? The FCAs are as follows: 1. A detailed introduction paragraph that includes Constitutional issues involved in the two cases. (Minimum of 6 sentences) (10 pts.) 2. A well organized paragraph that describes the similarities between the two cases that has a minimum of four similarities. (20 pts) 3. A well organized paragraph that describes the differences between the two cases that a a minimum of three differences. (20 pts) Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Miranda Webquest. Now the next time you see an officer read someone his Miranda rights you will understand the history behind those rights and the controversy that still exists over the United States Supreme Court’s decision handed down thirty-eight years ago.