self-incrimination

American  

[self-in-krim-uh-nay-shuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf ɪnˌkrɪm əˈneɪ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. the act of incriminating oneself or exposing oneself to prosecution, especially by giving evidence or testimony.

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self-incrimination Cultural  

1. Being forced or coerced to testify against oneself. Self-incrimination is prohibited by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

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Prohibiting self-incrimination not only helps guarantee due process of law, but also maintains one of the basic principles of American law by putting the burden of proof on the prosecution. (See also Miranda decision.)

Under this principle, a person may choose (given certain restrictions) to “take the Fifth,” refusing to testify in court or before a legislative or executive committee.

Etymology

Origin of self-incrimination

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-incrimination

Citing Paul's "obsession" with him, Fauci said he would invoke the Fifth Amendment, refraining from answering questions to avoid self-incrimination, adding that it "pains me to do so."

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

"I can confirm that she will take the 5th," Maxwell's lawyer David Oscar Markus told the BBC on Sunday, referring to the right to avoid self-incrimination outlined in the Fifth Amendment of the US constitution.

From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2026

Like Beller, the former accountant, she declined to turn over records or answer questions in a deposition in the New York lawsuit against Indyke and Kahn, citing her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025

Bomba, however, refused to answer as many as 45 questions about his alleged conduct and his conversations with Knight, citing his 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2025

Thus, without even admitting that the privilege against self-incrimination was involved, all the Justices agreed, in Brown v.

From The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation Annotations of Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of the United States to June 30, 1952 by Edward Samuel Corwin