Which scenario constitutes custody under Miranda?

• A. A formal arrest or a situation where a reasonable person would not feel free to leave.
• B. An ordinary traffic stop where the driver is free to leave.
• C. A consensual conversation where the person is free to end it.
• D. A police escort for a witness who is not in custody.

Answer: (A)

When evaluating Miranda custody, the key is whether a reasonable person would feel free to leave. Custody exists when you’re formally arrested or when you’re in a police-dominated setting where leaving is not truly an option. That real sense of restriction is what triggers the need for warnings before any interrogation.

So, the scenario described—being formally arrested or placed in a situation where you can’t leave—fits custody because the person would feel compelled to stay and answer questions. In contrast, an ordinary traffic stop where you’re free to walk away, a consensual conversation where you can end it at any time, or a police escort for a witness who isn’t in custody does not create that custodial vibe.