Which circumstance triggers the requirement for Miranda warnings?

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Miranda warnings come into play only when police are interrogating someone who is in custody. Custody means a situation where a reasonable person would not feel free to leave. Interrogation covers not just direct questions but any police conduct likely to elicit an incriminating response. Because of that, questioning someone who is not in custody doesn’t require warnings, and a suspect asking for counsel doesn’t by itself trigger the warnings—the warnings are needed only for custodial interrogation.