What to do if I’m a 16-year-old and was arrested for writing graffiti in a gazebo at a local park but the cop who made the arrest never read me my Miranda rights?

What to do if I’m a 16-year-old and was arrested for writing graffiti in a gazebo at a local park but the cop who made the arrest never read me my Miranda rights?

I was with 2 others (16 and 17 years old) who were not given their rights as well. We were searched, cuffed, taken to the police station, searched again, questioned, and jailed for about 20 minutes. I was officially arrested, without once being read my rights. I have a court date on Tuesday to determine further consequences, such as a fine or community service. Throughout this whole experience, I was never once read my Miranda Rights. Did the cop violate my rights by failing to read me my Miranda Rights? Can I use this to avoid paying a fine or doing community service?

Asked on May 31, 2013 under Criminal Law, Massachusetts

Answers:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.