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

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

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

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.

From BBC

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

Prosecutors had argued that subpoenaing Weisselberg to testify would probably be a waste of time due to his loyalty to Trump and the likelihood that he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

From Seattle Times