self-incrimination

[self-in-krim-uh-ney-shuhn, self-]

noun

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

self-incrimination

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

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-incrimination¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

He invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in response to a subpoena for documents and questions in a deposition in the New York lawsuit against Indyke and Kahn filed last year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Soldier G has died, while Soldier H indicated he would not testify in the trial, and would use his legal protection against self-incrimination.

Read more on BBC

After he confessed to the killing police read Hernandez his Miranda rights - a constitutionally mandated warning about self-incrimination - and recorded a video confession.

Read more on BBC

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Another woman who was considered his girlfriend invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when asked if she was given money for sex or drugs, or to pay others.

Read more on BBC