self-incrimination

noun

self-in·​crim·​i·​na·​tion ˌself-in-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən 

: incrimination of oneself

specifically : the giving of testimony which will likely subject one to criminal prosecution

Examples of self-incrimination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Garrity rights protect public employees from being compelled to self-incrimination during investigative interviews conducted by their employers, according to a Tennessee attorney general legal document. —Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2024

In court papers, Farley declined to respond to the allegations, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. —Meena Duerson, CNN, 15 Sep. 2024

But Bannon’s lawyer, David Schoen, argued the subpoena violated his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination and 6th Amendment right to a fair trial because the former president invoked executive privilege to block Bannon's testimony. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Martinez invoked her right against self-incrimination during that dramatic absentee ballot trial. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

self-incrimination

noun

self-in·​crim·​i·​na·​tion

ˌsel-fin-ˌkrim-ə-ˈnā-shən

: incrimination of oneself

especially : the giving of evidence or answering of questions which would leave one liable to be tried for a crime

Legal Definition

self-incrimination

noun

self-in·​crim·​i·​na·​tion

ˌself-in-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən

: incrimination of and by oneself especially through testimony see also privilege against self-incrimination at privilege