Opinion ID: 2585321
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Violation of Miranda rights

Text: After his capture, appellant was brought to the residence, handcuffed, and an officer began a pat down search. Appellant had not been advised of his Miranda rights when another officer asked him if he had any weapons, guns, or controlled substances on his person. He answered, Yes, and indicated toward his coat pocket. From the pocket, the officer removed a packet containing methamphetamine. In State v. Hall, 253 N.J.Super. 84, 600 A.2d 1248, 1249-50 (1990), the defendant was directed to enter a residence during the execution of a search warrant. The New Jersey court ruled the defendant was entitled to Miranda warnings before he was asked whether he had anything on his person. See id. at 1250. Thus, the defendant's statement regarding possession of cocaine and the cocaine itself was suppressed. See id. at 1254. It is a well established general rule that a defendant's non-Mirandized inculpatory statement is inadmissible at trial. See United States v. Polanco, 93 F.3d 555 (9th Cir. 1996). Under the totality of the circumstances in this case, Proferes' statement to the police and the methamphetamine seized must be suppressed. Proferes was in custody, handcuffed, and not free to leave. As such, the question put to him by law enforcement concerning whether he had drugs in his possession constituted a non-Mirandized custodial interrogation. The discovery of the drugs resulted from the illegal questioning.