What are Pirtle Rights?

You’ve probably heard of the common American criminal jurisprudence called the Miranda Rights. These are the rights given to criminal suspects to protect them from incriminating themselves further. You can learn more about your Miranda rights by reviewing the fifth and sixth amendments of the United States Bill of Rights. They read as follows:

5th AMENDMENT – Protects the right to due process. Prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

6th AMENDMENT – Guarantees the right to an attorney. Protects the right to a fair and speedy trial, the right to be notified of accusations, the right to confront the accuser, and the right to obtain witnesses.

Review our blogs about “Understanding Your Miranda Rights” for a closer look behind the meaning of these amendments and their origins.

But aside from criminal suspect rights prior to an arrest, there’s another set of rights that exist to protect suspected criminals from impeaching searches and seizures. This is called the Pirtle Rights. Continue reading to learn more.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

Your Pirtle Rights

The Miranda Rights primarily apply to interrogations, but your Pirtle rights apply to law enforcement seeking consent to search your property, whether vehicle, home, storage unit, or business. If a person is in police custody and asked to consent to a search of their property, they have the right to consult with their attorney and have them present before giving consent.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. If a police officer has reasonable belief that a person’s vehicle or property contains evidence related to the stop or arrest. For example, if a person is pulled over for speeding and the officer smells marijuana emitting from the person’s vehicle, the officer would be legally permitted to carry out a search of the vehicle since they have a reason to believe there may be drugs present.

It is important to discuss your personal rights with an experienced criminal defense attorney before choosing to invoke them during any future run-ins with law enforcement. Because there are some exceptions to the rule of your Pirtle rights, it is important to understand when it is appropriate to invoke them and when it is not. A trusted Indianapolis defense lawyer can provide you accurate and up-to-date information regarding all of your rights as a suspected criminal in Indiana.

Indianapolis Defense Attorney

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 if you are facing criminal charges in Indiana. Our law firm works around the clock, using every resource at our power to secure the best possible outcome for our client’s cases. Our top priority is to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms as a criminal suspect in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your criminal charges and the best strategies for defense.