Monday, June 14, 2010

Changes to Miranda rights

Sherry Colb blogs about the recent Supreme Court ruling on Miranda rights. In the Case of Warden v. Thompkins, the Court ruled that when a suspect is being interrogated and wants to insert the right to remain silent, the suspect have to tell the interrogators. In spite of staying silent for most of the time, the police interrogated the suspect for 3 hours until he confessed. Colbs explain the two different views on the right to remain silent. On one view, it’s only the right not to respond, even if the suspect is sitting in the interrogation room for hours. The other view is the right not to respond. The Court believe it’s only the right not to respond. It the suspect wants to remain silent, the suspect have to tell the interrogators that.
I’m diagnosed with autism and I’m concerned what effect this would have on people how are diagnosed with mental disease. Growing up in special needs school, I met a lot of people who could be pressured to talk. In spite of the ruling, I believe every police department should recognize the right not to be interrogated.
In other News, Missouri voters would have the chance to express how they feel about a portion of Obamacare, the mandate to get health insurance. On August 3rd, the would have a chance to vote for Prop. C, stating the federal government does not have the authority force people to get health insurance.

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