THE SCENARIO

Alice visited her local police station in response to Detective Barker’s request that Alice meet with him at her convenience to discuss a series of burglaries that had occurred in a neighborhood near Alice’s home. Though he suspected that Alice had committed the burglaries, Detective Barker explained that she was free to leave the station at any time; that she could take breaks from speaking with Barker whenever she wished; and that, regardless of what she said to Barker, Alice would not be arrested that day.

At the outset of her conversation with Barker, Alice repeatedly denied any involvement in the burglaries. In response, Barker truthfully told Alice that several pieces of physical evidence implicating her in the crimes had been collected from the burglarized residences, and questioned Alice about her whereabouts on the nights the burglaries occurred. Alice then asked Barker whether he could “get her a good deal” from the district attorney if she confessed her involvement in the crimes. Barker responded by stating that the district attorney was responsible for making decisions regarding potential charges or plea bargains, but that Barker believed that “honesty is always the best policy.” Alice then proceeded to make incriminating statements regarding her participation in the burglaries.

Alice has filed a motion to suppress the statements she made at the station.



QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED

1. Was Alice being interrogated at the station?

2. Was Alice in custody?

3. Was the officer required to give Alice the Miranda warnings?

4. Was Alice compelled to confess or were her statements voluntary?

Explain why or why not to each question in a minimum of 100 words