Berghuis v. Thompkins

Holding: The police are required to stop questioning a suspect once he invokes his Miranda right to remain silent. In this case, the Court held that a suspect did not invoke his right to remain silent by simply not answering questions. Instead, a suspect must unambiguously invoke his right to remain silent before the police are required to end their questioning.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 5-4, in an opinion by Justice Anthony Kennedy on June 1, 2010. Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Stevens, Ginsburg, and Breyer.

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs

• Brief for Petitioner Mary Berghuis
• Brief for Respondent Van Chester Thompkins
• Reply Brief for Petitioner Mary Berghuis

Amicus Briefs

• Brief for Wayne County, Michigan in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for United States of America in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Respondent

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion below (6th Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Petitioner's reply