self-incrimination

American  

[self-in-krim-uh-ney-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

The day after he received a pardon, he avoided every question in a deposition in a broader civil case against Live Nation by invoking his right against self-incrimination, people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

At one point, the report says that when investigators tried to interview McDonnell, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

From Los Angeles Times