MBE Rules · Criminal Procedure
Miranda — public safety exception
New York v. Quarles
The rule
Police may question a suspect in custody without first giving Miranda warnings when the questioning is reasonably prompted by an objectively reasonable concern for public safety (e.g., locating a discarded weapon). Statements and physical fruits are admissible in the case-in-chief.
In plain English
When immediate danger to officers or the public exists, protecting life trumps the prophylactic Miranda rule. The exception is narrow and tied to the emergency.
Memory hook
Quarles = 'Where's the gun?'
How examiners test it
Officer chases armed suspect into store, cuffs him, asks 'where's the gun?' before Mirandizing — answer and gun admissible.
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