More than likely those folks have good lawyers who tell them not to speak if there is an investigation going on.Abraham wrote:From what you guys tell me, there are no 'outstanding' examples (to speak of lately, lately being in the last 50+ years, of those considered reasonably innocent by the public, taking the 5th.
It sounds like the vast majority (no, not all...) but the vast majority of those taking the 5th are scalawags, rapscallions and scoundrels.
The video posted below your entry has some excellent advice. Including innocent folk who refused to speak because their own words might somehow be twisted and used against them. It's not always a hustle or dodge.
"Taking the 5th" should not automatically lead to considering someone a scoundrel or criminal. ScottDLS is correct in his statement regarding the importance of the 5th amendment. Government has virtually unlimited power, there is no way one person could endure such legal pressure and prosecution, if they had to speak to the authorities. SOMETHING they said would be used to convict them in some way.
Through hours of questioning, there might be something one says that would interest an over-zealous prosecutor to bring a criminal case.
The 5th amendment protection is afforded to all, innocent and non-innocent alike. One has no obligation to further their own prosecution.
LabRat