What does it mean to invoke the Fifth Amendment?

Invoking the Fifth Amendment means to exercise one’s right to not incriminate oneself. This is a right given to individuals by the US Constitution. In West Virginia and the rest of the United States, a person can choose to invoke the Fifth Amendment when they are called to testify in court. This means that they cannot be asked to answer any questions that could cause them to incriminate themselves. When you decide to invoke the Fifth Amendment in court, you must say, “I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate myself.” This statement will then be recorded in the court records. Once the statement is made, the court will not allow you to answer any questions, or provide any evidence, that may lead to your incriminating yourself. Invoking the Fifth Amendment is a powerful tool to protect yourself from self-incrimination in court. However, if you choose to invoke the Fifth Amendment, you must be aware that it may give the impression that you are guilty of the charges. Therefore, it is important to speak to a lawyer about your rights and decide what is the best way to proceed with your case.

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What does it mean to invoke the Fifth Amendment?

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