THERE'S STILL A PLACE FOR MIRANDA 25 YEARS LATER

It's been 25 years since the historic Miranda decision, which forever changed the way law officers make arrests. The Supreme Court ruling changed the focus to the rights of the accused, instead of focusing solely on the rights of the victim.

Under the ruling, authorities must advise suspects of their right to remain silent. They must also be told that any statements they make may be used against them. Suspects must also be told they have a right to have a lawyer present, and that a lawyer will be appointed by the court if they cannot afford one.

In a country where a person is considered innocent until proven guilty, these guaranteed rights are essential. But as crime rates have climbed, the public has become increasingly cynical about the rights of criminals.

And it's abhorrent when criminals are freed on technicalities of law that are blind to the despicable and horrible crimes committed by these individuals.

Most people are aware of their Miranda rights, whether they have been involved with the law or not. These "rights" can be commonly found in television and movie scripts.

Some have argued that the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that police inform interrogated suspects of their rights has outlived its usefulness.

And, in an era when crime is a pervasive fact of life, the urge to throw the Miranda ruling out the window is understandable.

But such a move is unwise. In a society whose very foundation is based on the belief that a person is innocent until proven guilty, the Miranda ruling is an important safeguard, not only for the suspects but also for the police.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle says the ruling is "a black and white" test where police can prove a defendant waived his or her rights. In that sense, he says, it makes the law enforcement officer's job easier.

Reading a person his or her Miranda rights is not an overly burdensome task.

All in all, it seems a small price to pay to help ensure fair trials and keep our criminal justice system the most envied in the world.