How long must police wait to reinitiate contact with a suspect after they assert their right to silence?

When a suspect asserts their right to remain silent, law enforcement must wait a specified period before reinitiating contact. This requirement is rooted in the legal standards established by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Michigan v. Mosley. The Court ruled that any ambiguity regarding a suspect's willingness to speak after exercising their right to silence should be addressed with caution.

A wait time of two hours has been established as a reasonable protocol. This duration allows law enforcement to avoid any pressure that may be felt by the suspect immediately following their assertion of the right to silence. During this time, the state can also ensure that any subsequent interrogation is conducted in a manner that respects the suspect's rights, confirming that they are doing so knowingly and voluntarily.

The other options, representing shorter or longer time frames, do not align with the legal standards set by courts regarding the duration of time police must wait to ensure that the suspect's assertion of their rights is respected.