Dickerson v. United States, No. 99-5525

For Case Analysis: See Preview 366

Does a congressionally adopted voluntariness standard for the admittance of statements during custodial interrogation permit the admission of confessions taken in violation of the requirements of Miranda v. Arizona?

Decision: No. The Court held 7-2 that Miranda is a constitutional rule that cannot be overruled by legislative enactment.

From the majority opinion by Chief Justice Rehnquist (joined by Justices O’Connor, Breyer, Kennedy, Ginsburg, Souter, and Stevens):

After discussing the “compelling pressures” inherent in custodial police interrogation, the Miranda Court concluded that, in order to combat these pressures and to permit a full opportunity to exercise the privilege against self-incrimination, the accused must be adequately and effectively appraised of his rights and the exercise of those rights must be fully honored. … Miranda has become embedded in routine practice to the point where the warnings have become part of our national culture.

Dissenting: Justice Scalia (Joined by Justice Thomas).

Opinion and briefs: supreme.findlaw.com/Supreme_Court/docket/aprdocket.html#99-5525

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