Escobedo, << ehs koh BEE doh, >> v. Illinois was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the rights of people accused of crimes. In this 1964 ruling, the court stated that police who question suspects must advise them of their right to consult a lawyer. If the police do not do so, the suspects’ answers may not be used as evidence.
In 1960, Danny Escobedo, a Mexican-American laborer, had been arrested in connection with a murder. While questioning Escobedo, Chicago police refused to let him confer with his attorney. They also did not inform him of his constitutional right to remain silent. A jury convicted Escobedo chiefly because of answers he gave during this interrogation.
The Supreme Court ruled that Escobedo’s statements could not be used to convict him. The court based its decision on the defendant’s right to “assistance of counsel,” guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The ruling became controversial, partly because the court had failed to establish clear guidelines for police procedures. The court clarified its position in a 1966 case, Miranda v. Arizona (see Miranda v. Arizona ).
