Pet theory about Fox's "Cops" show and Miranda Rights

[Kickin_Donkey]

Most of you probably know about Fox TV's "Cops," a reality show in which the cameras follow law-enforcement officers chasing, busting, and arresting essentially underclass suspects (or "criminals" in Fox's case, as they are already seen as guilty).

I've seen the show a couple of times – about as much as I could take – and it seems to me that the arrests are made while intentionally not showing the reading of the Miranda Rights. They make arrest after arrest after arrest – and no Miranda Rights are seen in the video footage.

My pet theory is that this is subtle Fox propaganda. The show is trying to get the viewing public desensitized to the arrest of citizens, that they are already guilty, have no rights, and the Miranda Rights don't matter or don't even exist.

I don't know about y'all, but I found the lack of Miranda Rights in the show to be glaring ... and revealing. What do you think?

[Dufaeth]

1. I think it is more likely that

it would just be "boring" non-action. The show has been around along time and the producer was leftist if I remember correctly.

[Kickin_Donkey]

15. I thought about this as a reason ...

for not showing the Miranda Rights. But most television dramas show the Miranda Rights, and their airtime as dramas is much more valuable, no? So why isn't done on "Cops" at least some of the time? (Apparently it is, according to a poster below.)

[yella_dawg]

2. Subtle Propaganda???

One message. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Big brother will see you and wreak vengeance.

[Lerkfish]

6. Fahrenheit 451

in that novel, there is a cops-like show to placate the masses that criminals are always caught. When the protagonist escapes, someone that looks like him is shown being apprehended, else the populace would be upset at how long it took to capture him.

Just came to mind discussing this.

[iamjoy]

3. Never Thought Of It That Way

I always just thought this was another example of Fox appealing to the lowest common denominator with the basest form of entertaiment

But now that you mention it....

[Lerkfish]

4. don't watch the show much, but i'll try to catch what you're

talking about there when its on again.

I remember one of the few times I watched, it was gut-wrenching because they were handcuffing the parents of a very small child in front of the child, who was wailing uncontrollably, and the cops were yelling at an older sibling (only looked bout 13 at the oldest) to calm down the toddler....wtf?

[dean_dem]

5. I've watched "Cops" plenty of times...

...call it a guilty pleasure...and I've seen them read the Miranda rights more times than not. And I think they obscure the faces of people who's cases have not yet gone to trial, or who were found not guilty.

[Lerkfish]

7. no, they only scramble those who've not given permission

to use their likeness on the show.
it has nothing to do with guilt or innocence, but getting a photo release.

the real question is, why would ANYONE sign a release form of themselves getting arrested on national tv?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. For money, perhaps?

Or is permitting the default amd people are ignorant of their rights?

[Lerkfish]

12. no, I'm pretty sure a release HAS to be signed.

its not a news event per se, the crews are not news crews. Its for an entertainment television show...therefore participation must be granted with permission, especially as much of it is shot on the suspect's PROPERTY.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

27. Hmmm. I wonder how they are, ahem, persuaded to sign the release.

The mind reels with the possibilities.

[uberotto]

23. Many years ago...

During my Navy days, I had several friends who had a long history of committing petty crimes. On one particular Friday night there was a rumor going around at a couple of the bars that Cops was in the area filming. At least three people, after hearing the rumor, got themselves arrested in an attempt to get on Cops. Turns out that the rumor wasn't true and they spent the weekend in jail for nothing.

After hearing this story, do you still wonder why ANYONE would sign the release?

[customerserviceguy]

25. For the same reasons

that someone would appear on Jerry Springer, et al. There are losers in this country that believe that ANY exposure on TV (besides a 7-11 security cam) is something to brag about!

COPS! is a show for people whose lives are so sucky, they want to feel superior to even bigger losers. I guess that's who makes up the audience for Jerry Springer, too.

[Kickin_Donkey]

20. You've seen them read the Miranda Rights on "Cops"?

If that's true, then I stand corrected about no Miranda Rights on the show.

As I said, I've seen it only a few times, and I asked someone who watches it a lot if they've ever seen the Miranda Rights read on the show. He said no.

[dean_dem]

22. Sure, plenty of times.

While occasionally I have a problem with some of the tactics (mostly drug arrests and tasering people), I think "Cops" is a good way to show that not all police officers are baton-wielding thugs. Most of them follow proper procedure.

[libnnc]

8. I've thought the same thing

about "desensitizing" the viewing audience. I can't stand that show anymore.

My partner watches it all the time :eyes:

I make her go in the other room.

[dogday]

10. This is what I have learned from watching the show COPS

If I ever( and I hope I won't) get into trouble with the law, I will keep my mouth shut, I will not say a word except I want my lawyer. I will not fall for the line we will go easier on you if you level with us.... Oh no, no way....

[thecai]

14. I Advise Everyone To Remain Silent...

...everything you say will be contorted, distorted, taken out of context, to be used against you in a court of lawlessness.

It's not the way it is supposed to be, but that is the way it has become.

[thecai]

11. Good Observation!

I won't allow children to watch those shows because they are also desensitizing our youth to police brutality.

[Kickin_Donkey]

24. That's another thing ...

I hadn't thought about also desensitizing the public to police brutality.

[Maat]

13. What I have seen is several violations of the 4th Amendment ..

I saw one episode in which the officer just watched a girl walk in an area known for methamphetamine sales. He NEVER had probable cause to search her pockets.

So, that means that he was only entitled to do what is called a 'Terri stop.' He was permitted to pat her down searching for a weapon, for safety purposes. He was not permitted to search any area in which there was something that was NOT a weapon.

Intead, he said, 'What is in your pockets?' She never consented to a search. She did not empty out her own pockets. He just went in and found dope. There was no indication that she was under the influence or probable cause to search. There is a case clearly on pointe with respect to this.

If she had decent representation, that evidence was thrown out.

[uberotto]

16. Being taken into custody isn't the same as being arrested...

From my experience, when I used to run with a "more interesting" group of people, the Police would often take people (especially drunk and disorderly people) into custody but never charge them with a crime. They were never actually arrested. Of the ones who did end up getting arrested, the actual arrest would usually take place at the police station.

Most police, at least most of the ones I've known, are generally lazy and try to avoid having to do any more work than necessary. If they can detain you for a few hours, instead of arresting you, that's less work for them.

[ConfuZed]

17. Seriously would you watch a show where they read the miranda rights...

every 10 mins most people won't, Its about making a show worth watching "propaganda" has nothing to do with it. If the right wingers had their way COPS would never see the light of day.

[livinginphotographs]

18. I see them reading the Miranda rights all the time.

One thing to also keep in mind is that this is television. They probably edit out things that aren't as interesting (i.e. doesn't involve high-speed pursuits or 'splosions). I really think you're reading way too much into this.

[Kickin_Donkey]

26. Apparently I'm wrong about "Cops" never showing ...

the Miranda Rights.

[genieroze]

19. Umm, they only need to read you Miranda Rights while questioning

you. Ask any lawyer.

[dean_dem]

21. Right, but when you have a guy pinned to the ground...

outside of his wrecked getaway car, they have to read your rights before they ask "Why did you run?"

But really, people. "Cops" is just stupid entertainment, no more or worse than any of the other idiotic reality shows. It's not a conspiracy anymore than "Fear Factor" is a conspiracy to warm people up to eating cockroaches.

[Pawel K]

28. LOL, I actually love the show

and they do read mirenda rights before they question anyone; can't remember a show where they haven't.