Opinion ID: 529724
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The waiver requirement

Text: 46 The Supreme Court in Miranda stated that a suspect informed of his right to counsel and right to remain silent may waive those rights if the waiver is made voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently. 384 U.S. at 444, 86 S.Ct. at 1612. We must make this determination considering the totality of the circumstances. Bradshaw, 462 U.S. at 1046, 103 S.Ct. at 2835 (quoting Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. at 486 n. 9, 101 S.Ct. at 1886 n. 9). In analyzing the totality of the circumstances, we must look at the facts of the particular case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the suspect. See Bradshaw, 462 U.S. at 1046, 103 S.Ct. at 2835. 47 In addition, the government has the burden of proving the waiver by a preponderance of the evidence. Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 168-69, 107 S.Ct. 515, 522-23, 93 L.Ed.2d 473 (1986). Whether a confession made by a suspect in custody was voluntary is a purely legal issue for our plenary review, see Miller v. Fenton, 796 F.2d 598, 601 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 989, 107 S.Ct. 585, 93 L.Ed.2d 587 (1986), and whether a waiver was voluntary, knowing and intelligent is likewise subject to plenary review. 8