What does Garrity v. New Jersey protect officers from during investigations?

Garrity v. New Jersey is a landmark Supreme Court case that established important protections for law enforcement officers during investigations. The ruling provided that officers cannot be compelled to incriminate themselves in administrative investigations. This means that if an officer is asked questions during an investigation that could lead to criminal penalties, they cannot be forced to answer those questions if doing so could implicate them in criminal activity.

This protection is crucial because it allows officers to respond to inquiries without the fear that their statements could later be used against them in a criminal case. Instead, any statements made under the protection of Garrity are confined to administrative proceedings and cannot be used in a criminal prosecution, thus safeguarding the officer's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Understanding Garrity v. New Jersey is vital for officers as it clarifies their rights during internal investigations and ensures that they can perform their duties without the fear of self-incrimination impacting their legal standing.