help?lol
2007-12-28 08:45:48 · 12 answers · asked by celina 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution.
The Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves. To "plead the Fifth" or to "take the Fifth" is a refusal to answer a question because the response could form self incriminating evidence.
2007-12-28 08:50:21 · answer #1 · answered by johnnyb6231 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The first answer was rather sparse in detail, and a little rude.
Pleading the 5th is indeed using the right to remain silent. More to the point, it is the right to not have to say anything to incriminate yourself. You can not be made to testify against yourself. By keeping silent on a issue and refusing to answer questions, your answers, whether true or false, can not later be used against you.
Theoretically, pleading the 5th in court should not be seen as an admission of any guilt or wrong doing. But human nature being what it is, many people will take a pleading of the 5th as an indication that you have something to hide, even if you do not.
2007-12-28 08:52:05 · answer #2 · answered by Mcgoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a constitutional amendment that protects a person from incriminating themselves when giving testimony in court.
For example, a person could have knowledge of insider trading going on at a large brokerage firm, but that same person's actions could somehow be involved in the trading or other illegal activities. That person will then plead the 5th in other to protect themselves from being forced to testify and make their own illegal actions known.
2007-12-28 08:51:33 · answer #3 · answered by m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
US Law
The 5th amendment
The right to say nothing, in court
Not an expert on law of any country
But that is about all I know from watching too much TV
2007-12-28 08:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by steven m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was realized long ago in England (around 1215) that in a truly free society, you may go through your entire life without ever saying a word to anybody. If that is so, then you may be silent whenever you wish. This is especially true in cases involving government courts. You do not ever have to admit complicity in any crime even if you are guilty. This is a basic tenet of freedom and liberty. Innocent until proven guilty.
It also guarantees that you cannot be deprived of life liberty or property without due process of law. Tell that to a guy that had all assets confiscated by the IRS before his trial and can't pay a lawyer for defense!!
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
2007-12-28 08:50:46 · answer #5 · answered by Joey C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The right against self-incrimination
2007-12-28 08:52:51 · answer #6 · answered by Greg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This just means that you don't have to answer a question if doing so will cause you to admit that you broke a law.
2007-12-28 09:53:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fifth amendment protects you from self-incrimination.
2007-12-28 08:48:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It means "I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it may incriminate me."
You don't have to incriminate yourself.
2007-12-28 08:50:47 · answer #9 · answered by Chef 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 5th amendment to the Constitution is the right to remain silent.
One-two-three-four-FIIIIIFTH!
2007-12-28 08:47:57 · answer #10 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋