self-incrimination

American  

[self-in-krim-uh-ney-shuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf ɪnˌkrɪm əˈneɪ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

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

---

self-incrimination Cultural  

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

---

Discover More

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.

Etymology

Origin of self-incrimination

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The day after he received a pardon, he avoided every question in a deposition in a broader civil case against Live Nation by invoking his right against self-incrimination, people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

At one point, the report says that when investigators tried to interview McDonnell, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2024

Many protections for criminal defendants, too, like the right to trial by jury and the guarantee against self-incrimination, have strong historical foundations.

From Slate • May 8, 2024

Jarnail Singh was warned about self-incrimination after being sworn in at the Post Office Horizon enquiry.

From BBC • May 3, 2024

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

From Under Fire by Cox, C. B.