Monmouth County location for film starring Abigail Breslin, Donald Sutherland, Andy Garcia

A movie co-written by a Middletown resident, based on the true story behind the historic Miranda rule ("You have the right to remain silent ... "), is now filming in Monmouth County.

“Miranda’s Victim” tells the real-life story of 18-year-old kidnapping and rape survivor Patricia Weir, and the fight to put her attacker, Ernesto Miranda, in prison. It also follows Weir’s experience as a rape survivor in a skeptical 1960s America, where she falls victim to male-dominated legal and medical systems.

The drama stars Oscar-nominees Abigail Breslin and Andy Garcia, Golden Globe, Emmy and Academy Honorary Award winner Donald Sutherland, Golden Globe winner Kyle MacLachlan, as well as Mireille Enos, Luke Wilson, Ryan Phillippe and Taryn Manning.

The film is written by Middletown resident George Kolber and J. Craig Stiles. Kolber is also producing the film with director Michelle Danner through his production company, Navesink River Productions.

In the case Miranda v. Arizona, Miranda was tried after confessing to attacking Weir (Breslin). His lawyers appealed the conviction on the basis that Miranda was not made fully aware of his rights to silence and to consult an attorney. The case went to the Supreme Court, where his confession was thrown out in 1966, transforming the American legal system.

The case led to the routine practice of Miranda rights, the legally mandated rights an arresting officer must advise to suspects before questioning, including their right to silence, their right to have an attorney present, and their right to have an attorney appointed if they cannot afford one.

Port Monmouth Elementary school in Middletown, which closed two years ago, was leased to the production company to be used as a “production office” for the film through July 22.

Filming began at the end of May, Kolber said, at “unique venues provided by Middletown, Red Bank and Monmouth University,” including Middletown administration and police buildings, the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, and Monmouth University’s campus in West Long Branch.

While filming in New Mexico was considered, Monmouth County's historic buildings were a better fit, Kolber said, since a majority of the film was being shot indoors.

Local groups have pitched in, Kolber said.

“It’s the help of the Red Bank Elks Club, Count Basie and the Antique Motoring Club of Monmouth County that will enable us to accurately depict (1960s and 1970s) America,” he said.

Middletown mayor Tony Perry said the production is benefitting the town, especially in featuring the old Middletown town hall. The building is scheduled to be demolished at the conclusion of filming.

“I’m very grateful that the old Middletown town hall is going to be preserved and memorialized in the way that it’s going to in this film so that it will be around forever,” Perry said.

Local residents and businesses are a part of the production. Interns have been hired out of Monmouth University’s film department, and local restaurants have been catering.

Perry is being featured in a scene, although he is not sure if it will make the final cut.

“The support from Middletown, Monmouth University and local residents in general is astonishing,” Kolber said. “Our first priority is giving back, and engaging those in the community that want to be engaged.”

Filming is scheduled to end July 7. No release date for the film has been announced.

Intern Pari Walter of Monmouth Beach is a rising junior at the University of Miami.   

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Miranda rights movie about Patricia Weir filming in Monmouth County NJ