The privilege against self-incrimination is an important constitutional provision that gives the suspect the right to decide, at any time, before or during questioning, the right to remain silent and the right to talk to a lawyer while being questioned. In other words, the suspect is protected by law from saying anything that may incriminate him.

Thus, under Miranda, there is no obligation to speak to the police beyond providing answers to basic questions such as name, address and date of birth.

The Miranda right reading and warning does not have to be in any particular format. In fact, many states have adopted their own versions but all of them contain the spirit of Miranda in its three basic components.