New York v. Quarles, Essay Example

In the case of New York v. Quarles, Quarles was stopped and frisked, which revealed an empty shoulder holster. A women had identified Quarles as her rapist to a police officer. Upon finding the empty shoulder holster, the officers asked where the gun was. The respondent told the officer that the gun was over there. The officer found the gun than read Quarles the Miranda warnings. The concern is if there is an exception to the legal requirements of the Miranda warning before the suspects answer can be used as evidence. The issue with this case is that Quarles was identified as a rapist, and then when being frisked, found out that he had a gun that he was carrying. Therefore the question as to whether it is legal to use evidence obtained after the reading of the Miranda rights when public safety is at stake, such as a concealment of weapons.

The trial court suppressed Quarles’ statement regarding the gun. The New York state appellate court affirmed their findings. The state of New York was granted certiorari. The reverse of the decisions in the lower court to suppress the gun statement was based on different factors. The concern for public safety was justified by the courts willingness to make an exception to the Miranda warnings. Justice Thurgood Marshall dissented by supporting the statement violated his Fifth Amendment protection and not coerced self-incrimination. It was possible for the officer to advise the respondent of his rights as well as his rights to counsel. Justice Sandra Day O’Conner dissented that the gun should have been admissible, but not the statement. Nontestimonial evidence that has provided the custodial interrogations in violation of the Miranda rights is not required to be excluded. The case shows the public safety rights and concerns with the Miranda rights.