Where does the term “Miranda warning” come from?

The Miranda warning is a warning given by United States police to criminal suspects in police custody, before they are interrogated.  An elicited incriminating statement made by the suspect will not be considered admissible evidence unless the person has been informed of his “Miranda rights” and made a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of those rights.

The Miranda warning came about as the result of a landmark United States Supreme Court decision in the case of Miranda v. Arizona.  It was mandated as a means of protecting a criminal suspect's Fifth Amendment right to avoid coercive self-incrimination.  The typical Miranda warning goes something like this:  “You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.  You have the right to an attorney present during questioning.  If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.  Do you understand these rights?”