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The client by John Grisham

Posted: 13 Aug 2007, 13:33
by drive
Can someone help me please? At this moment I am reading the book "the client" by John Grisham and I read every now and then the words "The Fifth Amendment". Can someone explain to me what this means? I am coming from the Netherlands and can you explain it to me in easy English? :?:

Posted: 13 Aug 2007, 17:22
by tngwstlnd
The fifth Amendment refers to the Bill of Rights, which is a series of ten changes to the Constitution that back up the rights of humans in the United States of America. The fifth amendment states
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Basically it means that any crime warrants a fair trial in front of a jury and in a courtroom, and that private property cannot be taken by the government without said owner being paid for it.