Self-incrimination is the act of accusing oneself of a crime for which a person can then be prosecuted. Self-incrimination can occur either directly or indirectly: directly, by means of interrogation where information of a self-incriminatory nature is disclosed; indirectly, when information of a self-incriminatory nature is disclosed voluntarily without pressure from another person. US law The Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves. To "plead the Fifth" is… (More on Self-incrimination)