I am from Canada and i was wondering because i have heard it said on varius shows.
2007-07-15 13:46:31 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
"I plead the fifth" is the right to abstain from incriminating yourself through speech. "The fifth" refers to the 5th amendment of the constitution.
2007-07-15 13:48:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
TO plead the "fifth" is an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1791, that deals with the rights of accused criminals by providing for due process of law, forbidding double jeopardy, and stating that no person may be forced to testify as a witness against himself or herself.
2007-07-15 13:51:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 5th Amendment to the US Constitution basically states that you have the right and protection from "self-incrimination". The statement of "taking the fifth" basically means that you reserve the right against saying anything which may be used against you in a criminal proceeding.
2007-07-15 13:51:22 · answer #3 · answered by stephen p 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constution says among other things that you have the right not to incriminate yourself. So if you are giving testimony and the judge or the District Attorney or another lawyer asks you a question where if you answered it truthfully you may be charged with a crime. you can refuse to answer and "plead the fifth"
2007-07-15 13:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by Tex 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In simple terms, if you went with a friend to rob a house and the prosecutor found out that your friend was at your house just before the robbery. If you took the stand as a witness, you would want to "plea the 5th" because you don't want to give away any information that you may have been part of the crime yourself. By admitting you were with him right before, in light of subsequent evidence, they may go after you!
Plea the 5th, no self incrimination, You don't have to tell on yourself.
2007-07-15 13:53:24 · answer #5 · answered by Oyaya 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 5th Amendment to the US Constitution, among other things, guarantees that someone cannot be compelled to provide testimony in any criminal legal proceeding that would be used to incriminate them.
Thus, when people say, "I plead the 5th" what they are saying (from a legal standpoint) is that they are invoking the legal privilege that allows them to refuse to answer on the grounds that their answer might be used to incriminate them.
It has entered common usage as a way of refusing to answer a question in any context, independent of the law. But it only has true legal force and effect in criminal proceedings.
2007-07-15 13:51:22 · answer #6 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fifth amendment to the US constitution garauntees that the accuses has the right not to incriminate him/herself in court. You "plead the Fifth" because you would be forced to admit something that makes you look guilty otherwise.
2007-07-15 13:51:25 · answer #7 · answered by One Voice In The Day Rings True 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in The U.S. I plead the fifth is referring to 5th amendment rights against self incrimination. It basically means you do not have to answer any question on the witness stand in court if that answer is going to incriminate you (say something that could cause you to be charged with a crime. It is your constitutional right not to be a witness against yourself.
2007-07-15 15:56:37 · answer #8 · answered by chill out 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It refers to the Fifth Amendment which protects people (usually witnesses at a trial) from self-incrimination.
2007-07-15 13:48:54 · answer #9 · answered by beez 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means invoking one's rights under the Fifth Amendment to The U.S. Constitution, which protects one from self-incrimination.
2007-07-15 13:48:51 · answer #10 · answered by No Chance Without Bernoulli 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋