Family Life

04.07.09 | FL News Team

The U.S. Supreme Court says voluntary confessions may not be used in a federal court if a suspect was held by authorities longer than six hours before admitting to a crime. In the ruling issued Monday Justice David Souter spoke for the majority when he said questioning by police, "isolates and pressures the individual." The justice says there is an increasing amount of evidence that those pressures "can induce a frighteningly high percentage of people to confess to crimes they never committed."

The 5-4 decision sets aside the case of Johnnie Corley who had confessed after two days of questioning by the FBI. Corley admitted to robbing a Norristown, Pennsylvania credit union and was subsequently convicted of the heist, even though the confession was the only evidence against him. He was sentenced to spent 14 years in prison. 

The six hour limit will only apply to federal cases. Police are obligated to follow the 1966 Miranda ruling for state and local cases. The rule requires police to inform suspects they have a right to remain silent and consult an attorney before answering any questions. Joining with Souter in the case were Justices John Paul Stevens, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Bryer.