How did the holding in the United States Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona (1966) impact criminal defendants?

The holding in Miranda v. Arizona significantly impacted the rights of criminal defendants by establishing that individuals taken into police custody must be informed of their rights, which includes the right against self-incrimination. This ruling ensures that defendants are aware of their right to remain silent and that anything they say can be used against them in a court of law. This safeguard aims to prevent coercive interrogation practices that might lead to false confessions and protects the integrity of the legal process.

The requirement for law enforcement to provide a "Miranda warning" has since become a critical aspect of the arrest protocol, affirming the constitutional protections afforded under the Fifth Amendment. This decision not only underscores the importance of protecting individual rights within the judicial system but also emphasizes the responsibility of the state to uphold these rights when engaging with individuals who are suspected of criminal activity.