The meaning of PLEAD THE FIFTH is to refuse to testify against oneself in a court of law in accordance with the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution : take the fifth —often used figuratively. · “I plead the Fifth” is a phrase commonly heard in legal dramas, signifying an individual’s refusal to answer questions. This assertion invokes a fundamental constitutional protection, allowing a person to decline providing testimony that could lead to their own criminal prosecution. · This clause gives rise to the right to “plead the Fifth.” It establishes that no person can be compelled in a criminal case to serve as a witness against themselves. · What Does Plead the Fifth Mean? Pleading the Fifth refers to protections under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution against self-incrimination. If you think a statement could expose you to criminal prosecution, you can assert your constitutional right to remain silent. · Plead the fifth is an idiomatic expression rooted in American legal terminology. It refers to the act of refusing to answer questions to avoid self-incrimination. Learn the meaning and implications of "taking the Fifth" or "pleading the Fifth" in US law. This refers to the right against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment, which can be invoked during questioning or trial. · "Pleading the Fifth" means refusing to answer questions to avoid self-incrimination, based on the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
