In which scenario is it appropriate for an officer to read Miranda rights?

Reading Miranda rights is appropriate when an officer is arresting a suspect because this scenario often involves a situation where the individual is both in custody and subject to interrogation. The Miranda warning serves to inform the suspect of their rights, specifically the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, which is crucial to ensuring that any statements made afterward can be used appropriately in a legal context.

In the context of an arrest, the suspect is typically not free to leave, which is one of the key factors that triggers the requirement to provide these warnings. This is designed to protect the suspect's Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. In other scenarios, such as being in a public place or during a routine traffic stop, the conditions might not meet the criteria of custody coupled with interrogation. Additionally, the requirement to read Miranda warnings is not limited to serious felony cases but applies broadly whenever a suspect is arrested and likely to be questioned by law enforcement.