How do the Miranda rights protected you?

The Miranda Rights protect your constitutional rights. The standard is as follows:

• "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. You have the right to an attorney present during all questioning, you may invoke your right to counsel at anytime. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you, free of charge.

Essentially these statements, while more of a legal warning than a right, inform you that you have the following rights in accordance with the constitution.

• Remain silent - 5th amendment protection against being a witness for the prosecution against yourself.
• Attorney representation - 6th amendment protection to have counsel in a criminal trial.

It also serves as a warning that after this point, anything you say will be used against you. Which is why all criminal attorneys will tell you to speak to them before speaking to the police.