Self-incrimination (Noun)
Meaning
An accusation that incriminates yourself.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- By testifying about the late-night conversations with his business partner, the defendant's lawyer worried that he might open himself up to self-incrimination.
- She declined to answer the investigator's question about the disputed document, fearing it could lead to self-incrimination.
- When the officer asked if he knew why they had been stopped, the driver responded vaguely to avoid any possible self-incrimination.
- Her claim of "being present at the scene, but only as an innocent bystander" could still lead to self-incrimination, his attorney advised.
- At the start of his trial, the defendant waived his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, indicating his intention to testify.