What does it mean to plead the fifth amendment Meaning and Definition
What does it mean to plead the fifth amendment
Pronunciation
/ˈpleɪd ðə ˈfɪvθ æmˈɛndmənt/
Part of Speech
Phrase
Definition
The right, as granted by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to refuse to answer questions or provide information that may incriminate oneself, particularly in a court of law.
Examples
- The defendant pleaded the fifth amendment during cross-examination.
- The lawyer advised her client to plead the fifth amendment to avoid self-incrimination.
Synonyms
- Take the fifth
- Exercise the fifth
Antonyms
- Volunteer information
- Admit guilt
Etymology
The term “plead the fifth” originated from the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects individuals from self-incrimination.
Usage Notes
The phrase is typically used in formal or legal contexts, but can also be used in everyday conversation to refer to refusing to answer a question or provide information.
Cultural References
The phrase has been referenced in popular culture, such as in films, TV shows, and music, to illustrate someone’s refusal to answer a question or provide information.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Taking the fifth, exercising the fifth, and invoking the fifth are all idiomatic expressions that refer to pleading the fifth amendment.
Related Words or Phrases
Criminal law, self-incrimination, Fifth Amendment, Miranda rights.
Collocations
Plead the fifth, take the fifth, exercise the fifth, invoke the fifth, Fifth Amendment rights.
Frequency of Use
The phrase is relatively common in legal and formal settings, but can also be used in everyday conversation, particularly when someone refuses to answer a question or provide information.
Common Misspellings
Plead the fifth amendment, plead the 5th amendment, take the fifth amendment, exercise the 5th amendment.
Additional Information
Pleading the fifth amendment is an important right granted to individuals, particularly in a court of law. It allows them to avoid self-incrimination and protect themselves from potential criminal prosecution. In some cases, pleading the fifth amendment may be used as evidence against the individual, but it is generally seen as a protection rather than a negative consequence. The phrase has also been used in popular culture to illustrate someone’s refusal to answer a question or provide information, often in a humorous or satirical way. Despite its widespread use, pleading the fifth amendment remains an important aspect of criminal law and is closely tied to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.