What action can throw a confession out of court?

• A. Coercing the suspect
• B. Not securing a warrant
• C. Not giving Miranda rights
• D. Not recording the interview

Answer: (C)

The action that can automatically render a confession inadmissible is failing to give the Miranda warnings when the suspect is in custody and being questioned. These warnings inform the person of their right to remain silent, that anything they say can be used against them, and their right to an attorney, with the option to have one appointed if they cannot afford one. If the police conduct custodial interrogation without providing those warnings (or without a valid waiver after proper warnings), the resulting confession is typically excluded from evidence under the exclusionary rule. This protection exists to prevent coercive interrogation and safeguard the suspect’s Fifth Amendment rights.

Keep in mind that warnings aren’t needed if the person isn’t in custody or isn’t being interrogated. There are exceptions where statements made without warnings can still be admissible (such as the public safety exception), but the standard rule that commonly trips up admissibility is the absence of proper Miranda rights.