5th Amendment
1984

Berkemer v. McCarty

468 U.S. 420 (1984)

The Supreme Court ruling that anchors one of the POP phrases. Plain-English summary below, with the precise phrase to invoke and when to use it.

Phrase to invoke
"I am going to remain silent."

When to use this phrase Timing

The moment you realize you are being detained and you do not want anything you say to be used against you. State it once, clearly, at the start of the stop, before the first question. This is what makes later silence actually protected.

The ruling in plain English

The Supreme Court held that a routine traffic stop is not custodial interrogation for Miranda purposes. Officers are not required to give a Miranda warning during a stop, which means the silence you keep is unprotected unless you invoke it yourself out loud. Berkemer is the companion to Salinas: Salinas told you that silence alone is not an invocation, Berkemer told you that the burden to speak falls on you even more clearly because a stop is not custodial in the Miranda sense.

Berkemer v. McCarty, 468 U.S. 420 (1984)

Use This Phrase During Your Stop

Open Stop Mode on your phone — pinned phrase, recording timer, and live legal context.

Open Stop Mode