Vega v. Tekoh
Vega v. Tekoh (Docket 21–499) is a pending United States Supreme Court case related to Miranda v. Arizona. The case will review whether being read the Miranda warning upon arrest by law enforcement is a Constitutional right.
| Vega v. Tekoh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Argued April 20, 2022 | |
| Full case name | Carlos Vega v. Terence Tekoh |
| Docket no. | 21-499 |
| Argument | Oral argument |
| Questions presented | |
| Whether a plaintiff may state a claim for relief against a law enforcement officer under Section 1983 based simply on an officer's failure to provide the warnings prescribed in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). | |
| Court membership | |
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Background
In the United States, Miranda warnings were established from the Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona and upheld in Dickerson v. United States, establishing that under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, statements made by a suspect in police custody cannot be used as evidence in trial unless they were notified of their rights to remain silent prior questioning.[1]
In March 2014, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department sheriff Carlos Vega responded to a 911 call related to allegations that Terence Tekoh, a hospital employee, had sexually assaulted a patient. Tekoh confessed to the sexual assault shortly after Vega met him. He was tried on the sexual assault allegations and ultimately acquitted. Tekoh then sued Vega under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, asserting he violated his rights under Miranda v. Arizona by not warning him of his right to remain silent. Two juries held that Vega had not violated Miranda.[1]
Tekoh appealed, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed and remanded for another trial. The court denied rehearing en banc over the dissent of Judge Patrick J. Bumatay, who was joined by six other judges. Vega filed a petition for a writ of certiorari.[2]
Supreme Court
Certiorari was granted in the case on January 14, 2022. Oral arguments were heard on April 20, 2022.[1]
References
- Liptak, Adam (April 20, 2022). "Supreme Court Debates Whether Miranda Warnings Are a Constitutional Right". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- Howe, Amy (January 14, 2022). "Court will take up five new cases, including lawsuit from football coach who wanted to pray on the field". SCOTUSblog. Retrieved January 15, 2022.