What triggers the requirement to issue Miranda warnings?

• A. Interrogation without custody.
• B. Custody without interrogation.
• C. Custody plus interrogation by law enforcement.
• D. Custody plus public disclosure.

Answer: (C)

Miranda warnings are required only when a person is in custody and being interrogated by law enforcement. Custody means a reasonable person wouldn’t feel free to leave—like the person has been arrested or is heavily restrained. Interrogation covers direct questions or any actions police take that are likely to elicit an incriminating response about the crime.

So the trigger happens only when both conditions are met: you’re in a custodial setting and the police are actively questioning you about the case. If either piece is missing—no custody or no interrogation—Miranda warnings aren’t required in that moment. For example, routine, non-incriminating questions during booking might not require warnings, and questions asked outside custody aren’t subject to Miranda. The choice describing custody plus interrogation matches this custodial interrogation scenario, which is why it’s the correct one.