Document: 498 U.S. 146 111 S.Ct. 486 112 L.Ed.2d 489 Robert S. MINNICK, Petitionerv.MISSISSIPPI. No. 89-6332. Argued Oct. 3, 1990. Decided Dec. Syllabus Petitioner Minnick was arrested on a Mississippi warrant for capital murder. An interrogation by federal law enforcement officials ended when he requested lawyer, and subsequently communicated with appointed counsel two or three times. Interrogation reinitiated county deputy sheriff after told that could not refuse to talk him, confessed. The motion suppress the confession denied, convicted sentenced death. State Supreme Court rejected his argument taken in violation of, inter alia, Fifth Amendment right counsel, reasoning rule of Edwards v. Arizona, 451 477, 101 1880, 68 378—that once an accused requests may reinitiate questioning "until has been made available" him—did apply, since had available. Held: When is requested, must cease, without present, whether consulted attorney. In context, requirement be "made refers opportunity consult attorney outside room, but have present during custodial interrogation. This appropriate necessary, single consultation does remove suspect from persistent attempts persuade him waive rights coercive pressures accompany custody increase as it prolonged. proposed exception inconsistent Edwards' purpose protect suspect's at Miranda 384 436, 86 1602, 16 694, where theory one's would substantially counteract compulsion created specifically rejected. It also undermine advantages flowing clear unequivocal character. Since, under respondent's formulation rule, protection reinstated subsequent request pass out existence multiple times, vagary spread confusion through justice system lead loss respect underlying constitutional principle. And such leave uncertain sort required displace Edwards. addition, allowing whose prompt lose while one dilatory distort proper conception attorney's duty client set course odds what ought effective representation. Since Minnick's initiated police formal interview which compelled attend, previously specific impermissible. Pp. 150-156. 551 So.2d 77 (Miss.1988), reversed remanded. KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. SCALIA, filed dissenting opinion, REHNQUIST, C.J., joined, post, p. ----. SOUTER, took no part consideration decision case. Floyd Abrams, New York City, petitioner. Marvin L. White, Jr., Jackson, Miss., respondent. Justice KENNEDY Court. 1 To privilege against self-incrimination guaranteed Amendment, we held terminate if assistance counsel. 474, 1627, 694 (1966). We reinforced protections 484-485, 1884-1885, 378 (1981), him. issue case before us ceases 2 fellow prisoner James Dyess escaped jail and, day later, broke into mobile home search weapons. burglary they were interrupted arrival trailer's owner, Ellis Thomas, accompanied Lamar Lafferty Lafferty's infant son. used stolen weapons kill Thomas senior Lafferty. story murdered victim forced shoot other. Before escapees get away, young women arrived home. They gunpoint, then bound hand foot. fled Thomas' truck, abandoning vehicle Orleans. fugitives continued Mexico, fought, proceeded alone California. Lemon Grove, California, warrant, some four months murders. 3 here resulted last San Diego jail, first recount events preceded it. Friday, August 22, 1986. testified mistreated local arrest. following arrest, Saturday, Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) agents came refused go interview, "have down else." App. 45. FBI report indicates read petitioner warnings, acknowledged understood rights. He sign waiver form, however, said answer "very many" questions. about jailbreak flight, described how threatened beat Early sobbed "[i]t my life theirs," otherwise hesitated tell happened trailer. reminded did questions lawyer present. According report, "Minnick stated 'Come back Monday I yer,' make more complete statement present." 16. ended. 4 After met spoke occasions, though record all these conferences person. 5 On Monday, 25, Deputy Sheriff J.C. Denham Clarke County, Mississippi, question Minnick. jailers again talk" "could refuse." Id., advised rights, declined form. escape describe petitioner, jumped shot victims, shotgun head pistol. handed pistol ordered other victim, holding until so. girls arrived, talked raping hurting them. 6 tried murder Mississippi. moved statements given officers, including Denham. trial court denied petitioner's Denham, suppressed statements. counts 7 appeal, argued Sixth Amendments. claims. With aspect case, found "the bright-line initiation" inapplicable. 77, 83 (1988). Relying language indicating bar interrogating applies " 'until available him,' ibid., quoting supra, U.S., S.Ct., 1885, concluded "[s]ince Minnick, satisfied." So.2d, 83. claim, finding waived 83-85. granted certiorari, 495 903, 110 1921, 109 285 (1990), reaching any implications decide terminated suspended 8 indicated individual invokes "must cease present"; point, confer questioning." gave force admonitions, "inconsistent its progeny authorities, their instance, reinterrogate clearly asserted counsel." 485, 1885. "when invoked interrogation, valid cannot established showing only responded further police-initiated even rights." 484, 1884-1885. Further, who attorney, "having expressed desire deal subject authorities unless himself initiates communication, exchanges, conversations police." 9 "designed prevent badgering defendant waiving Michigan Harvey, 494 344, 350, 1176, 1180, 108 293 (1990). See Smith Illinois, 469 91, 98, 105 490, 494, 488 (1984). ensures result pressures. conserves judicial resources expended making difficult determinations voluntariness, implements practical straightforward terms. 10 merit lies clarity command certainty application. confirmed provides 'clear unequivocal' guidelines profession." Arizona Roberson, 675, 682, 2093, 2098, 100 704 Cf. Moran Burbine, 475 412, 425-426, 106 1135, 1142-1144, 89 410 (1986). Even Edwards, noted Miranda's "relatively rigid upon accused's . virtue informing prosecutors specificity do conducting courts circumstances obtained are admissible. gain specificity, benefits alike, thought outweigh burdens imposes agencies requiring suppression trustworthy highly probative evidence might voluntary traditional analysis." Fare Michael C., 442 707, 718, 99 2560, 2568, 61 197 (1979). pre-Edwards explanation well progeny. 681-682, 2098. 11 relied our "is ." interpret this mean, thought, terminates suspect. than room. 12 focused instruction present," 1628 (emphasis added), agreeing contention "to interrogation." 482, 1883 added). sentence preceding quoted referred "right interrogation," following, phrase 'interrogation ' Miranda. 1885 full moreover, says: "We hold accused, having Ibid. 13 Our emphasis counsel's presence unique derives Miranda, cases "[t]he adequate protective device necessary process conform dictates [Fifth Amendment] privilege. His insure government-established atmosphere product compulsion." 466, 1623. 719, 2568. interpreted mean initiate absence. Writing plurality then-Justice REHNQUIST "that incriminating [Edwards' ] violated secured Fourteenth Amendments United States Constitution." Oregon Bradshaw, 462 1039, 1043, 103 2830, 2833, 405 (1983) 680, 2097 ("The corollary admonition '[i]f states wants present' "); Shea Louisiana, 470 51, 52, 1065, 1066, 84 38 (1985) ("In ruled criminal defendant's use police-instigated interrogation—without present—after attorney"). These descriptions consistent "[p]reserving integrity choice communicate essence progeny." Patterson 487 285, 291, 2389, 2394, 261 view, fair reading demonstrates time questioning. Whatever ambiguities earlier now 14 consider ruling application rule. A illustrates pressures, abuses, concomitants custody. resisted, submit both interviews. latter followed always instructing One plausible interpretation keep admissions refusing If complied corrected misunderstanding, indeed counseled need all. decline based isolated consultations absent resumes. 15 "[e]ven preliminary advice own can swiftly overcome secret process. Thus comprehends merely prior questioning, so desires." 470, 1625 (citation omitted). proposed, furthermore, "clear unequivocal" Respondent concedes second should reinstate protection. invited adopt regime times arraignment, point same reattach jurisprudence, see 625, 1404, 631 Vagaries consequent 17 adopting far certain Consultation precise concept, encompass variations telephone call say route, hurried interchange between detention facility corridor, lengthy in-person conference gives respecting matters covered interrogations. scope settled, charge confirm occurrence possibly, extent determine permissible. inquiries interfere attorney-client 18 Added difficulties definition concern over consequence not. There irony result. strong possibility 19 Both admission guilt affirmation responsibility principle system. detract principle, insist neither nor waivers there particular systemic assurances inducing cause. sets forth standard fulfill purposes, confine instances. efficacy 20 foreclose provided conversation discussions authorities; us. doubt police; attend. Petitioner's admissible trial. 21 judgment reversed, remanded proceedings opinion. 22 ordered. 23 SOUTER 24 whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting. 25 today establishes irrebuttable presumption suspect, invoking never validly encounter, warnings actually builds foundations already command; obligation justify expansion." 688, 2101-2102, (1988) (KENNEDY, dissenting). Because justification applying respectfully dissent. 26 Some recapitulation pertinent facts order, Court's custody." Ante, 153. undisputed interviewed 23, 1986, began. Although agreed agents, prison ensuing events. trailer, hesitated. finish account forthwith. 27 several weekend. As hearing: 28 "I [my attorney] different and—it me nobody nothing extradition papers anything going order police—I talking anybody drawn up restrict Police Department." 46-47. 29 morning, come ask recalled hearing, 30 "went about—first, everybody doing, heard Mama went seen brother, Tracy, pertaining things that. And, off jail. 50. 31 participation double 32 later extradited trial, hearing admissibility receiving testimony "freely voluntarily beyond reasonable doubt," id., allowed jury. 33 reverses court's conclusion. holds that, because asked not—as matter That original honored, warned speak irrelevant. familiar general (he robbery assault deadly weapon California) beside point. suppressed, "compelled," realistically assumed unaware simply sees fit prescribe "systemic assuranc[e]," ante, 155, person thereafter approached Of Constitution's proscription remotely authorize incursion state practices; recent precedents excuse. II 34 (1966), declared prophylactic assurance "inherently compelling pressures," 467, 1624, will violate Amendment. But pressures" precluded contrary, recognized establish "knowingly intelligently retained 475, 1628. For purpose, expressly adopted "high standar[d] proof rights," Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 58 1019, 82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938). 35 Zerbst standard, means it, familiar: Waiver "an intentional relinquishment abandonment known privilege," 464, 1023, occurred depends "in each surrounding background, experience, conduct accused," ibid. applied approach many contexts bears burden procedural See, e.g., Faretta 422 806, 835, 95 2525, 2541, 45 562 (1975) (right trial); Brookhart Janis, 1, 4, 1245, 1246, 314 (1966) confront adverse witnesses); Adams ex rel. McCann, 317 269, 275-280, 63 236, 240-242, 87 268 (1942) jury). 36 Notwithstanding acknowledgment "not themselves protected Constitution instead measures compulsory [is] protected," Tucker, 417 433, 444, 94 2357, 2364, 41 182 (1974), adhered less Until refrained imposing higher example, Mosley, 423 96, 96 321, 46 313 (1975), remain silent, police. North Carolina Butler, 441 369, 1755, 60 286 (1979), deemed involuntary explicit assertion 723-727, 2570-2573, juveniles per se involuntary. 37 approach, encounter provided, stands solitary jurisprudence. does, sure, desirable consequences today's narrow context applies, 100% confessions 151; 'prevent[s] defendant,' ---- (quoting (1990)); "conserves voluntariness," profession,' 2098). excludes persons value (assuming authority rule) assessed basis gained, lost. above-described outweighed 'the tool laws,' 426, 1143, "Admissions guilt," said, "are 'desirable'; essential society's interest finding, convicting, punishing those law." III course, called reconsider continue justifications support convincing context. 39 Most discussion Edwards—which stresses repeatedly, various formulations, case's 'to interrogation,' 152, added Court)—is importance Miranda-created present" unquestioned here. What questioned why prove (under ) who, twice least twice, chose officer (and admit involvement murders) 40 assert possible. circumstances, broadly defined. not, extend itself—where interrogated ever provided. rests assumption similar itself: likely ignorant feel hostile environment. likelihood special unknowing coerced spoken probabilities change. knows advocate side, permit advocate. almost certainly heightened awareness (above warning itself provide) silent—since earliest "any worth salt terms circumstances." Watts Indiana, 338 49, 59, 69 1347, 1358, 93 1801 (1949) (opinion J.). Under police-prompted ignorance coercion, genuine fact. consultation, therefore, exclusionary apply. Does implies, license "badger" suspect? Only asking, insistence frequency constitute like confess. Nothing (the intervention here) prohibits inquiry, often produce confession. post inquiry becomes protracted threatening afford needed 42 underestimate expansion constricts enforcement. Today's ruling, invocation permanently prevents waiver, makes largely impossible urge initially confess change mind—or indeed, changed mind. Many invoke permanent prohibition attach once. Those obtain arraignment. attached, triggers police-solicited confessions, (1986), presume perpetuality announced well. "Perpetuality" too term, since, although rejects logical moment end, suggests alternative. reapproached days presumably months, years, decades. perpetual add, interrogations involving crime, subjects 43 Besides repeating uncontroverted proposition simplicity achieved holding. Clear simple rules desirable, pursuance possess. authorized exclude include knowing silent. Undoubtedly implement marking situations knowledge voluntariness possibly established—for excluding five hours continuous follow slightest conceivably justified basis. rest prediction most unaccompanied waiver. 44 true category excluded itself. think so, but, discussed above, involuntariness category. is, event, rational line one, expanding past mistake. Drawing distinction assuredly distinctions led into—such Kamisar, Bradshaw Cases: Giveth Taketh Away, Court: Trends Developments 153, 157 (J. Choper, Y. & Tribe eds. 1984) ("[E]ither Mosley wrongly decided was"); Constitution. arguments answered briefly. suggestion either ethically impermissible "consultation" alarmist. main eliminate feeling isolation assure legal assistance, asks contact, connection suffice. content "irony" not," 155: seems needed. premised (already tenuous) psychological state, event renders invalid longer searching ironies consider, first, says categorically wish discuss matter" mind; say, tentatively, approached. added, decision, harder newly 47 Finally, "Edwards' times," 154, apply resolution proposed. permanently, occurred. 48 * 49 extension latest stage prophylaxis built prophylaxis, producing veritable fairyland castle imagined restriction newest tower, according avoid "inconsisten[cy] [the] purpose" (at last!) 50 obvious surely gone suspects know abandon holdings explicable, effort regarded folly. sharp-witted better confess; dull-witted suffer lack mental endowment? Providing every induced persuaded (though coerced) incriminate odds. Apart fact enterprise provision Constitution, unwise. guilty innocent, objective free. clever criminals employ advantage poor reason allow done justice. 51 Thus, concede honest foolish mistake, welcome rather reject it; mistakes count offenders unconvicted undetected. More fundamentally, wrong, subtly corrosive system, regard "mistake." While entitled stand virtuous wrongdoer offense accept punishment deserves. Not society, himself, "admissio[n] ., coerced, inherently desirable," Washington, 431 181, 187, 97 1814, 1818, 52 238 (1977), advances goals "justice rehabilitation," 448, n. 2366, rightly Sentencing Guidelines warranting reduction sentence, "demonstrates recognition affirmative acceptance personal conduct," Commission, Manual § 3E1.1 (1988), beginning reform. should, then, rejoice confession, pity "poor fool" regret attempted retraction good act, seek facilitate encourage design laws premises contrary belief moral claim just government obedience. Caplan, Questioning Vand.L.Rev. 1417, 1471-1473 (1985). misguided, me, readily exchanging, marginal, super-Zerbst genuinely testimony, investigators' ability urge, ask, right.

Category: 0