If the deputy is compelled to provide an administrative interview, what rights will they be advised of?

• A. Miranda rights
• B. Right to counsel only
• C. Garrity immunity rights
• D. No rights

Answer: (C)

Garrity immunity rights are what come into play when an employee is forced to participate in an internal or administrative interview. This protection stems from Garrity v. New Jersey and is designed to prevent self-incrimination during disciplinary investigations. The deputy is advised that if they answer questions under compulsion, those compelled statements cannot be used against them in criminal prosecutions. In other words, the internal inquiry can move forward with answers, but the information given under that immunity cannot later be used to prosecute the deputy criminally. This mechanism preserves the employee’s Fifth Amendment rights while allowing the agency to conduct a thorough internal investigation. Miranda rights, by contrast, apply to custodial criminal interrogations, not mandatory administrative interviews, so they’re not the rights being referenced here.