VOA慢速英语2018--如果你在美国被捕了怎么办?

What Happens If You Are Arrested in the US

If you have ever watched an American crime show, you know about this Supreme¹ Court case. Listen to what the police officer says.

“You do have the right to remain silent. You also have the right to be represented by an attorney²…”

Those rights – the rights not to speak and to have a lawyer – are known as Miranda rights.

The name comes from Ernesto Miranda. In 1963, he was arrested and charged with kidnapping, robbing, and raping³ a young woman. Police arrested Miranda and questioned him. Miranda admitted to some of the crimes, and a jury⁴ later used his confession⁵ to find him guilty.

But some activists⁶ said Miranda’s trial was not fair. The reason, they said, was because police had not clearly told Miranda about his rights. The U.S. Constitution says people do not have to admit to wrongdoing.

A majority of justices agreed. Their decision changed police policies, and strengthened protections for people who have been arrested.

By the way, Ernesto Miranda? He was given another trial. This time, lawyers could not use his confession against him. But they did use sworn statements by his ex-girlfriend. He was again found guilty and sentenced to prison.

Words in This Story

attorney - n. one who is legally appointed to do business for another

confession - n. a written or spoken statement of guilt by someone accused of an offense

1 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

2 attorney   

n.（业务或法律事务上的）代理人，辩护律师

参考例句：

• He acted as attorney for me.他充当我的律师。
• The attorney for the union accused the Mayor of playing politics.工会的律师谴责市长在这次罢工中耍阴谋。

3 raping   

v.以暴力夺取，强夺( rape的现在分词 )；强奸

参考例句：

• In response, Charles VI sent a punitive expedition to Brittany, raping and killing the populace. 作为报复，查理六世派军讨伐布列塔尼，奸淫杀戮平民。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The conquerors marched on, burning, killing, raping and plundering as they went. 征服者所到之处烧杀奸掠，无所不做。 来自互联网

4 jury   

n.陪审团，评委会；adj.临时用的；vt.挑选

参考例句：

• These twelve men are believed to compose the jury.据信，陪审团是由这12人组成的。
• The members of the jury were discharged from their duties.陪审员们被解除了职务。

5 confession   

n.自白，供认，承认

参考例句：

• Her confession was simply tantamount to a casual explanation.她的自白简直等于一篇即席说明。
• The police used torture to extort a confession from him.警察对他用刑逼供。

6 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》