When must Miranda warnings be given?

• A. During interrogation outside custody.
• B. During custodial interrogation.
• C. During any conversation with police.
• D. Only after a formal arrest.

Answer: (B)

Miranda warnings are required when a person is in custody and being interrogated by the police. Custody means a reasonable person would not feel free to leave, which can happen even without a formal arrest. Interrogation covers direct questioning and any police actions that are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response. If both conditions are met, the warnings must be given before questioning or before the police seek to obtain statements. They aren’t required for non-custodial questioning or casual conversations, and they’re not tied to a formal arrest alone. So the moment this rule applies is during custodial interrogation.