A United States Supreme Court ruling released today (February 24) provides an exception to the 1981 Edwards v. Arizona decision for a “break in custody” that permits the police to resume questioning a suspect who had previously asked for a lawyer.  Seven of the nine justices agreed that if the break in custody lasts more than two weeks between interrogations that the confessions cannot be surpressed under the Edwards decision.  The case is Maryland v. Shatzer (08-680). 

Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued another Miranda related ruling – this time overturning the decision of the Florida Supreme Court that had previously found the Miranda wording used in the case to be constitutionally insufficient.  The case is Florida v. Powell (08-1175).

The SCOTUSblog.com has extensive commentary on both decisions.