Prime Suspect Law and Legal Definition
A prime suspect is the person law enforcement officers believe most probably committed a crime under investigation. Once a person is determined to be a prime suspect, the police must be careful to give the "Miranda warnings," or any admissions by the suspect might be excluded in trial.
Miranda warnings are required warnings the police have been required to recite to an arrested person, involving the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. These are also often referred to as the "Miranda rights." When you have been read your rights, you are said to have been "Mirandized."
Different versions of the warning exist, but the following is a standard version:
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to be speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense."
