American Government / Unit 3 Gov 113 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Fifth Amendment: Self-Incrimination
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The idea
The Fifth Amendment protects a person from being compelled to be a witness against themselves in a criminal case.
In practice
"Taking the Fifth" is invoking that clause.
Where people slip
The protection covers compelled testimony — physical evidence stands on different doctrine.
Your place on the trail
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Builds on
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