What is a miller hearing?

A Miller hearing is a hearing held to determine the admissibility of a defendant's statements to law enforcement during a criminal investigation. The hearing gets its name from the landmark Supreme Court case Miller v. Fenton, which established the standard for determining the admissibility of statements made during custodial interrogation.

During a Miller hearing, the judge will consider the circumstances under which the defendant made the statements, such as whether they were made voluntarily, whether the defendant was read their Miranda rights, and whether there was any coercion or misconduct by law enforcement.

The purpose of a Miller hearing is to ensure that the defendant's constitutional rights were not violated during the interrogation process. If the judge determines that the statements were obtained unlawfully, they may be excluded as evidence in the criminal trial.

Overall, a Miller hearing is an important step in protecting the rights of defendants and ensuring a fair trial.