Legal Dictionary of Pakistan

right against self-incrimination

A criminal defendant's or a witness's constitutional right - under the Fifth Amendment, but waiv-able under certain conditions - guaranteeing that a person cannot be compelled by the government to testify if the testimony might result in the person's being criminally prosecuted. ( Although this right is most often asserted during a criminal prosecution, a person can also "plead the Fifth" in a civil, legislative, administrative, or grand jury proceeding. - Also termed privilege against self-incrimination; right to remain silent. See SELF-INCRIMINATION.