I Plead The Fifth!

Aide to Gonzales won't Testify:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/26/AR2007032600935.html

Amendment I
"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."

The United States Constitution protects the right to keep quiet and not incriminate yourself. When attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales's senior counselor decided not to testify in Senate about her involvement in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys she was protecting her fifth amendment.

This Article clearly demonstrates Amendment V of the United States constitution. Everyone has the right not to incriminate themselves. They have the right to remain silent and they do not have to speak if they do not want to. The article demonstrates the fifth amendment because it showed how Monica Goodling did not have to testify in Senate because she did not want to incriminate herself. Being a U.S. citizen she had that right to stay quiet and did not receive a punishment for remaining silent.

I feel that the right to remain silent is very useful to the United States citizens, especially in the court of law. If you feel that you've done nothing wrong you should not be forced into saying something that might incriminate yourself. In some cases it might not be the best idea, but it is a useful tool to be able to use as United States citizen and I'm glad I have that right. I couldn't even picture how things would be if you had to speak on things that you may not even know about. This amendment being apart of the U.S. government is useful for everyone. If Monica Goodling was not allowed to remain silent she probably would incriminated herself simply based off of the fact she felt people were accusing her of being involved. Pleading the Fifth is one of the best amendents in the Constitution.