| fifth amendment | (n) an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that imposes restrictions on the government's prosecution of persons accused of crimes; mandates due process of law and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy; requires just compensation if private property is taken for public use |
| take the fifth | (v) refuse to testify by invoking the Fifth Amendment, which states that nobody may be forced to testify as a witness against himself or herself, Syn. take the Fifth Amendment |
