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self-incrimination

[ self-in-krim-uh-ney-shuhn, self- ]

noun

  1. the act of incriminating oneself or exposing oneself to prosecution, especially by giving evidence or testimony.


self-incrimination

  1. Being forced or coerced to testify against oneself. Self-incrimination is prohibited by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution .


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Notes

Prohibiting self-incrimination not only helps guarantee due process of law , but also maintains one of the basic principles of American law by putting the burden of proof on the prosecution. ( See also Miranda decision .)
Under this principle, a person may choose (given certain restrictions) to “take the Fifth,” refusing to testify in court or before a legislative or executive committee.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of self-incrimination1

First recorded in 1920–25
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Example Sentences

The Fifth Amendment most famously protects against self-incrimination.

Bbrarkk Jjoknyyegg Kekeke immediately took refuge in refusal to answer on grounds of self-incrimination.

So was another principal witness, who, however, might decline to testify because of the danger of self-incrimination.

It is what the lawyers would describe as the most conspicuous instance of self-incrimination on record.

In flying from Jane he fled from the self-incrimination she planted in him.

A man could not refuse to answer on the grounds of self-incrimination.

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self-incriminatingself-induced