Miranda in Actual Juvenile Interrogations

Abstract

Though laboratory and self-report research proliferates on youths’ Miranda comprehension and reasoning, little is known about how Miranda actually takes place inside the juvenile interrogation room. This study is among the first to present data on the Miranda processes and outcomes that occur in actual juvenile interrogations. Fifty-seven electronically recorded police interrogations with juvenile suspects were coded using software designed especially for observational research; this article examines a subset of those interrogations ( N = 28) that contained a filmed Miranda component. Key variables include the manner of Miranda delivery, youths’ behavioral indicators of comprehension, and Miranda waiver rates. Additionally, the language used to present Miranda warnings to juvenile suspects was transcribed and analyzed. Results indicate that Miranda delivery typically occurred in a neutral manner, immediately upon interview commencement or after a brief period of booking questions. Miranda warnings were presented in various formats (verbal, written, and combination), and youth-specific modifications to the standard Miranda language were uncommon. The Miranda waiver rate in our subsample was 90%. The specific Miranda language used in these interrogations read approximately at a seventh-grade reading level. Implications of Miranda delivery, waiver, and readability are discussed.