释义 |
`1`privilege against self incrimina-tion`2` "LAW.COM Dictionary":
n. a right to refuse to testify against oneself in a criminal prosecution or in any legal proceeding which might be used against the person. This privilege is guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which provides: "No person却hall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself?" Therefore, refusing to answer questions during a trial ("I refuse to answer on the ground it may tend to incriminate me") is called "taking the Fifth."
See also: Bill of Rights taking the Fifth |