Code of Criminal Procedure · U.S. Supreme Court, 1984

New York v. Quarles

New York v. Quarles is a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court decision. This page summarizes key points and works through practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Key points

  • Immediate threat to public safety
  • Questions narrowly tailored to address the threat
  • Statements admissible as substantive evidence

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

Under the public safety exception, officers may ask questions necessary to address an immediate threat to public safety BEFORE giving Miranda warnings. The case is:

  1. Miranda v. Arizona
  2. New York v. Quarles Correct
  3. Edwards v. Arizona
  4. Texas v. Cobb
Why: Quarles held that questions reasonably prompted by an immediate concern for public safety (e.g., 'Where is the gun?') may be asked before Miranda warnings, and the answers are admissible.
Statute: New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649 (1984)