Legal Definitions - Fifth Amendment, plead the

Definition: When someone pleads the Fifth Amendment, they are refusing to answer a question in court because they believe their answer could incriminate them. This is a right protected by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Example: During a trial, a witness is asked if they were present at the scene of a crime. The witness pleads the Fifth Amendment and refuses to answer the question because they believe their answer could make them look guilty.

Explanation: The example illustrates how someone might use the Fifth Amendment to protect themselves from self-incrimination. By pleading the Fifth, the witness is exercising their right to remain silent and not provide potentially damaging information.

Definition: Fifty Decisions refer to the rulings made by Emperor Justinian in ancient Rome. These decisions were intended to settle disputes and eliminate outdated laws in preparation for the creation of Justinian's Digest.

Example: One of the Fifty Decisions might have been to clarify the legal definition of property ownership, or to eliminate a law that was no longer relevant to society.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Fifty Decisions were used to update and modernize the legal system in ancient Rome. By settling disputes and eliminating outdated laws, Justinian was able to create a more efficient and effective legal system for his empire.