Can I plead the 5th in a domestic violence case against my husband?
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Can I plead the 5th in a domestic violence case against my husband?
He is accused of hurting me but it was only an accident.
Asked on November 19, 2017 under Criminal Law, New York
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Have you been subpoenaed? If so, then you must appear since a subpoena is a direct order from a court. If you ignore it, you can he held in contempt of and a warrant for failure to appear can be issued for your arrest. You can also face fines and/or jail time.Some domestic violence victims try to invoke the Fifth Amendment (i.e. the right against self-incrimination). However, this right doesn't apply merely because a witness doesn't want to testify. It only applies if their testimony would cause them to incriminate themselves. Also, note that witness who refuses to testify can be held in contempt and jailed and/or fined. Finally, in these type cases, many spouse's think that they can invoke "spousal privilege", which is the right of one spouse not to have to give testimony against the other spouse. However, most states have amended this privilege so that one spouse can be made to testify against the other.
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