What does it mean when someone says you plead the fifth?

Answer 1

It is an legal term in the USA. That covers citizens in the USA. The fifth (5) reefer to the Fifth Amendment to the American Constitution. It states that 'you can not be forced to give incriminating (damaging) evidence against yourself'. So if a person is asked a question that will be damaging to themselves they can just state that "I plead the Fifth Amendment and will not answer that question" Usually this means, and everybody knows this, that the person has something to hide and that in it self is damaging, but the person did not tell a lie and can there for not be charged with perjury (lying under oath) which is an offense punishable with prison time. Answer Pleading the fifth is a reference to the Fifth Amendment. Making such a plea means that you refuse to answer the question on the ground that your answer might incriminate you. If you choose to take the fifth upon questioning by an opposing party, just know that you will probably have to take the fifth for every question you are asked.

Also know that just because you plead the fifth, it doesn't mean that you cannot be found guilty by some other means.

Finally, if you plead the fifth in some non-criminal matter, that protection may be absolute. For example, in the State of Georgia, if you take the fifth on a question in a divorce case, the judge can assume the answer is "yes, I'm guilty of what you're asking me."

Answer 2

The Fifth Amendment states that nobody can be forced to testify against themselves in court. If you "plead" the fifth, you are basically stating that you have done something wrong but that you are not going to tell them what it is so you don't get charged for the crime (until they catch you later that is).

Answer 3

Pleading the 5th refers to exercising one's rights under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This amendment states:

"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."

This means, among other things, that a person has the right to remain silent and not submit to questioning when answering such questions would result in revealing his/her own criminal acts.

Answer 4

Answer

When some one says "I plead the fifth" they are not going to self -incriminate themselves.

The person refuses to testify against themselves.
Its mean to basically not incriminate yourself. As in , Johnny pleads the 5th because he is guilty but his amendments due state that you can not be a witness for yourself.
it mean u not teliing someone or answering them wit what ever they ask you

Answer 5

The 5th Amendment of the US Constitution, among other things, protects a witness or defendant from incriminating themselves - that is, they cannot be forced to answer questions that can later be used to prosecute them for a wrong-doing. A US Citizen may also not be held indefinitely by a US Official without charge, or otherwise coerced into answering such questions without an attorney present.

Those who "plead the 5th" at any proceeding or questioning are calling on that amendment to protect themselves from self-incrimination by giving any information that could then make them a suspect in an investigation, either in actuality or through twisting of their words.

This amendment binds all US Federal, State and local Law Enforcement Officers, if the person they are questioning is a US Citizen. Note that it does not hold if you are being questioned by a foreign Law Enforcement Official on foreign soil.

The only exceptions to the fifth amendment I am aware of are: when being questioned by a Grand Jury, in cases where the crime is considered "infamous", or persons in any branch of the Armed Forces in any kind of military investigation, tribunal, or trial.

Answer 6

It doesn't mean anything.

However, to "plead the fifth" means you are refusing to testify because you are invoking your 5th amendment right not to incriminate yourself. This is frequently misused on television and in the movies. In reality, it is rarely used or applicable.

Answer 7

The 5th amendment says that you don't have to answer a question if the answer can get you into trouble. It's the part you might recognize from cop movies - "you have the right to remain silent". "I plead the fifth" is a roundabout way of saying "I'm not gonna answer that".

Answer 8

It means that you refuse to incriminate yourself by testifying