pleading the Fifth
Invoking constitutional silence
Pleading the Fifth is invoking the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination.
A witness who pleads the Fifth refuses to answer questions that might expose them to criminal liability: He pled the Fifth throughout the congressional hearing.
Informally, it's used humorously to decline answering any awkward question: Who ate the last cookie? I'm pleading the Fifth.
- Miranda rightsSuspect's custodial advisement
- answerSolution to query
- judgeOne who decides
- Bill of RightsInitial constitutional amendments guaranteeing freedoms
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
silence · civil liberties · immunity · constitutional rights · perjury · privilege · cross-examination · grand jury · privacy rights · defense attorney · invoke · due process · landmark rulings · question · sworn testimony · Supreme Court decisions · objection · witness
pleading the Fifthconfessing
Admitting to a fault
testifying · full disclosure · spilling the beans · coming clean · speaking freely
pleading the Fifthturning state's evidence
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