American Legal Figure. Born in Mesa, Arizona, after the death of his mother and while still in school, his troubles with the police began. A conviction of burglary while in the 8th grade resulted in incarceration at an Arizona reform school. Quickly upon release another conviction and another term in reform school. A move to Los Angeles resulted in arrests for armed robbery and minor sex offenses and after incarceration deported back to Arizona. A tour in the Army resulted in stockade time at hard labor for AWOL and various sex charges. He was dishonorably discharged. Arrested in Nashville driving a stolen car across state lines, he was sentenced to the federal prison system. Back in Phoenix, Miranda was arrested for armed robbery of a bank employee and the kidnap/rape of an 18 year-old woman. Intensive interrogation by the Phoenix police resulted in obtainment of a written signed confession with a paragraph typed at the top which stated the confession was made with "full knowledge of my legal rights, understanding any statement I make may be used against me". He was convicted solely on the strength of the confession. On appeal, the Supreme Court set down the rule requiring a defendant be advised of their right to remain silent and to have an attorney. Under the new rule, a confession obtained without this warning could not be used at trial. Released, he was re-arrested, "Mirandized" and convicted on the strength of an actual witness without the confession and sentenced to 20 to 30 years on each of the two counts, to be served concurrently. He served eleven years before being paroled. After his release, he earned money by selling autographed Miranda Warning cards but continued his criminal life style with numerous arrests for driving offenses which resulted in suspension of driving privileges. Found in the possession of a gun, he was returned to prison for another year. After his release, Miranda spent his time in bars living in cheap hotels. While playing cards at the La Amapola Bar in Phoenix, a violent confrontation occurred. He was mortally wounded with a knife and was pronounced dead on arrival at age 35 at Good Samaritan Hospital. The suspect arrested was read his Miranda rights. Upon release, he absconded to Mexico. The case was closed.

American Legal Figure. Born in Mesa, Arizona, after the death of his mother and while still in school, his troubles with the police began. A conviction of burglary while in the 8th grade resulted in incarceration at an Arizona reform school. Quickly upon release another conviction and another term in reform school. A move to Los Angeles resulted in arrests for armed robbery and minor sex offenses and after incarceration deported back to Arizona. A tour in the Army resulted in stockade time at hard labor for AWOL and various sex charges. He was dishonorably discharged. Arrested in Nashville driving a stolen car across state lines, he was sentenced to the federal prison system. Back in Phoenix, Miranda was arrested for armed robbery of a bank employee and the kidnap/rape of an 18 year-old woman. Intensive interrogation by the Phoenix police resulted in obtainment of a written signed confession with a paragraph typed at the top which stated the confession was made with "full knowledge of my legal rights, understanding any statement I make may be used against me". He was convicted solely on the strength of the confession. On appeal, the Supreme Court set down the rule requiring a defendant be advised of their right to remain silent and to have an attorney. Under the new rule, a confession obtained without this warning could not be used at trial. Released, he was re-arrested, "Mirandized" and convicted on the strength of an actual witness without the confession and sentenced to 20 to 30 years on each of the two counts, to be served concurrently. He served eleven years before being paroled. After his release, he earned money by selling autographed Miranda Warning cards but continued his criminal life style with numerous arrests for driving offenses which resulted in suspension of driving privileges. Found in the possession of a gun, he was returned to prison for another year. After his release, Miranda spent his time in bars living in cheap hotels. While playing cards at the La Amapola Bar in Phoenix, a violent confrontation occurred. He was mortally wounded with a knife and was pronounced dead on arrival at age 35 at Good Samaritan Hospital. The suspect arrested was read his Miranda rights. Upon release, he absconded to Mexico. The case was closed.

Bio by: Donald Greyfield