In what scenario do Miranda warnings apply?

Miranda warnings are required in situations where a person is both in custody and subject to interrogation. The purpose of these warnings is to inform individuals of their rights against self-incrimination and to the assistance of legal counsel before being subjected to questioning. This legal requirement stems from the Supreme Court's decision in Miranda v. Arizona, which established that the failure to provide these warnings could lead to the inadmissibility of any statements made by the suspect during an interrogation.

In contrast, mere arrest or initial questioning without an interrogation does not invoke the need for Miranda warnings. If a suspect is not being interrogated while in custody, the rights do not need to be read. The emphasis is on the combination of custody — where an individual feels they cannot freely leave — and active interrogation, where questioning aimed at eliciting responses takes place. Thus, the correct scenario for the application of Miranda warnings involves both custody and interrogation.