According to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, no one “shall be forced in any criminal prosecution to be a witness against oneself.” But what does it really mean?
(For more on the privilege against self-incrimination as it applies to the police, see Questioning by the Police. See also Immunity From Prosecution for further information on how the government may force individuals to speak.)
Everything Is About the Privilege
Fifth Amendment Protection Against Self-Incrimination
When is it appropriate to “claim the Fifth”? When should you do it?
Concerns About Incrimination
What is the rationale behind the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination?
For some reason, it seems only fair that persons who are in problems with the law are not required to speak.
