There is some uncertainty as to when the privilege ends. Without further discussion, the appellate court in In re Paul P. (1985) 170 Cal.App.3d 397 [ 216 Cal.Rptr. 51], citing People v. Webster (1971) 14 Cal.App.3d 739, 743 [ 93 Cal.Rptr. 260], stated at page 401, in pure dictum, that "Fifth Amendment principles apply even though the statements are made to state agents in a postconviction setting." In conclusory language, People v. Frohner (1976) 65 Cal.App.3d 94 [ 135 Cal.Rptr. 153], and People v. Sierra (1953) 117 Cal.App.2d 649 [ 256 P.2d 577], suggest that conviction terminates the privilege.
The weight of authority is that Miranda warnings are necessary only when a defendant is subject to questioning by law-enforcement officials, their agents, and agents of the court while the suspect is in official custody. See In the Matter of Paul P., 216 Cal.Rptr. 51 (Ct.App. 1995);see also State v. Tinkham, 719 A.2d 580 (N.H. 1998). Here, because the principal was not acting as an agent of the police when he questioned respondent and because respondent was not subjected to a custodial interrogation by law-enforcement authorities, it was unnecessary to inform respondent of his rights prior to this questioning.
Although B.F. participated in the interview pursuant to an agreement with law enforcement, we likewise accept, if only for the sake of argument, the People's contention that B.F. was not acting as an agent of the police. (In re Paul P. (1985) 170 Cal.App.3d 397, 401, 216 Cal.Rptr. 51 [" Miranda is applicable only to questioning by law enforcement officials, their agents and agents of the court while the suspect is in official custody"].) Where we part company with the People is in their suggestion that the second part of the fourth interview was primarily a private conversation, rather than a police dominated interrogation.
Miranda is only applicable while the suspect is in official custody; "[n]ongovernmental security employees that act without police cooperation have been regarded as private citizens unaffected by Miranda." (In re Deborah C. (1981) 30 Cal.3d 125, 131; In re Paul P. (1985) 170 Cal.App.3d 397, 401.) Nor does the record show that Officer Lopez conducted a custodial interrogation.