You Have The Right

Apache Junction, AZ   High 86  Low 62

Janie and John made a comment about not wanting to drive into downtown Phoenix to visit the Wells Fargo Museum. It wasn’t near as bad as I thought it was going to be but if this hadn’t been more of a spur of the moment idea, I would have planned much better. The way to get there is to ride the light rail. It lets you off right on the corner where the museum is. We’ll definitely plan better next time.

Only a block from the Wells Fargo Museum is the Phoenix Police Museum. Jan and Bill had told us about this museum and how much they enjoyed it.

We didn’t realize both museums were so close and moved our truck off of our parking meter. We found another meter but it was only a 30 minute meter so when we got to the museum we asked them where we could park. They invited us to park in their employee parking lot. How nice is that. (Thanks Jan and Bill)

The museum is located in historic city hall and contains the room where Ernesto Miranda was booked.

Miranda Rights

The case that brought about the eventual Miranda rights ruling, involved Ernesto Miranda of Phoenix, Arizona. In 1963, Miranda was arrested for the armed robbery of a bank worker. While in custody of the police, Miranda -- who had a record for armed robbery, attempted rape, assault and burglary -- signed a written confession to the armed robbery. He also confessed to kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old girl 11 days prior to the robbery.

Miranda was convicted of the armed robbery, but his attorneys appealed the case on the grounds that Miranda did not understand that he had the right against self-incrimination.

In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in the case of Miranda v. Arizona that established that a suspect has the right to remain silent and that prosecutors may not use statements made by defendants while in police custody unless the police have advised them of their rights.

Ernesto Miranda's conviction was overturned. Prosecutors later retried the case, using evidence other than his confession, and he was convicted again. Miranda served 11 years in prison and was paroled in 1972.

At age 34, Ernesto Miranda was stabbed and killed in a 1976 bar fight. Ironically, a suspect was arrested in Miranda's stabbing, but exercised his right to remain silent. He was released without being charged.

Sue Bell was our tour guide. Her son is a Phoenix Police Officer and she was a total delight. This sculpture is a monument dedicated to the police officers who have lost their lives on duty in Phoenix.

The museum also gives the history of the Phoenix Police Department. Henry Garfias was the first elected City Marshal in 1881.

Before there were jails, there were jail rocks.

I can’t remember for sure what this thing is called but I know they used it during the riots in the 60’s.

This is Sweet Pea – she is sent in to locate any bombs.

Then Leroi is sent in to disarm the bomb. He was Phoenix’s first bomb disposal robot.

Another wonderful small museum. You can go in and wander around by yourself but if Sue is there, please have her give you the tour.