Summary
Edwards v. Arizona held that once a person in custody invokes the Miranda right to counsel, police cannot initiate further custodial interrogation unless counsel is provided or the person initiates further communication and validly waives the right.
Legal Issue
After a person in custody invokes the right to counsel, may police initiate a new custodial interrogation after giving fresh Miranda warnings and obtaining a waiver?
Holding
No. Once an accused in custody invokes the right to counsel, police may not subject that person to further custodial interrogation unless counsel is made available, or unless the accused initiates further communication with police and then knowingly and intelligently waives the right.
Rule of Law
If someone in custody clearly asks for a lawyer, police questioning must stop. Officers cannot come back later and start a new interrogation unless a lawyer is present or the person starts the conversation with police.
Court Reasoning
Not yet summarized.
Impact for Officers
Edwards remains a core interrogation rule. Later cases refined when a person has clearly invoked counsel, what counts as the person initiating further conversation, and how long the Edwards protection lasts after a break in custody, but the basic rule still anchors Miranda practice.
What Officers Can Do
Not yet summarized.
What Officers Should Avoid
Not yet summarized.
Common Misunderstanding
Not yet summarized.