Harris v. New York

401 U.S. 222 (1971)

Purchase the Printed Copy at bsmsphd.com

Nature of the Case

To access this section all you need to do is click here and register.

Facts

Harris (D) was charged with selling heroin to an undercover officer. The police took the stand and testified as to the details of the sale, and those details were verified by another officer with a third officer confirming that the substance sold was heroin. D took the stand and denied making one of the sales but also admitted that the second sale was merely baking powder delivered with an intent to defraud the purchaser. On cross, D was examined as to his statements made to officers immediately upon his arrest. Those statements were inadmissible at trial in that they violated Miranda, but the judge allowed them on the issue of D's credibility. The transcript of D's interrogation by the police was not given to the jury. The jury was given an instruction that the evidence was only to be considered regarding D's credibility and not evidence of any guilt. D was found guilty and appealed.