Ricardo Jaime Sanchez v. the People of the State of Colorado

Summary

The court affirmed the defendant's murder conviction, holding that Miranda does not require police to advise or ensure that a suspect understands that he will never incur financial liability for appointed interrogation counsel. The officer's statement that an attorney would be appointed if Sanchez lacked the means to hire one adequately conveyed the required right to appointed counsel, and Sanchez's subsequent conduct demonstrated a valid waiver. Justice Hood, joined by Justices Hobbs and Marquez, concurred only in the judgment and would have avoided the majority's discussion of possible future financial liability.