What does self-incrimination mean?

Self-incrimination refers to the act of making statements or providing evidence that can be used to prove one's own guilt in a criminal case. This concept is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves. Therefore, when someone makes statements that imply they have committed a crime, they are essentially engaging in self-incrimination.

This understanding underscores the right individuals have to remain silent in legal proceedings to avoid potentially incriminating themselves. The other choices do not accurately define self-incrimination: testifying against others relates to collaboration or cooperation with law enforcement, being forced to testify without representation pertains to legal protections and the right to counsel, and exonerating oneself suggests a process of proving one’s innocence rather than implicating oneself in wrongdoing.