pleaded the Fifth
Invoked constitutional silence
Pleaded the Fifth means to invoke the Fifth Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination in legal proceedings.
A witness who pleads the Fifth refuses to answer questions that might implicate them in a crime.
Informally, it means declining to answer any awkward or incriminating question: When she asked where I'd been, I pleaded the Fifth.
- Miranda rightsSuspect's custodial advisement
- courtroom procedureRules governing trial conduct
- criminal defendantPerson charged with offense
- Bill of RightsInitial constitutional amendments guaranteeing freedoms
- self-incriminationImplicating yourself criminally
remain silent · witness testimony · hostile witness · grand jury · congressional hearing · perjury · immunity · subpoena · due process · legal defense · invoke · take the stand · under oath · sworn testimony · cross-examination · legal safeguards · presumption of innocence · Supreme Court rulings
pleaded the Fifthtestified
Declared under oath
confessed · self-incriminated · came clean · spilled the beans · disclosed
pleaded the Fifthflipped
Reversed position suddenly
cut a deal · ratted · informed · named names
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