Sunday, August 29, 2010

Amendment V: Provisons concerning prosecution

I Plead the Fifth


Source #1: http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/J/g/1/justice_fifth.jpg

Source #2: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_the_5th_Amendment_mean



Quotes: ''No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.''

"The Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves. To "plead the Fifth" or to "take the Fifth" is a refusal to answer a question because the response could form self incriminating evidence."

Explanation of Connection: This political cartoon is showing how people have a right to not talk on the stand if they don't want to. The fifth amendment was created in order to protect the people, basically from themselves and a government that uses its power in an unjust matter. For example, if some one is on the stand for murder, and they are being asked questions about the murder or the victim, they can plead the fifth and choose not to say anything, and they can't in anyway be forced to answer any questions given to them.

I say this is a very interesting amendment, because if people do plead the fifth they are basically telling on themselves. This amendment is suppose to protect them from doing that, but it makes them seem kind of guilty to the judge, the jury and possibly everyone else. 

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