Examines the history of Americans' rights against self-incrimination, with an overview of key court rulings related to the freedom, an explanation of what freedom from self-incrimination means, and an analysis of its evolution.

Includes index.

pt. 1. The evolution of the right against self-incrimination. The origin of the Fifth Amendment's right against self-incrimination / Leonard W. Levy ; The Sixth Amendment creates a right to remain silent / Arthur J. Goldberg ; The Miranda ruling and the right to remain silent / Gary L. Stuart ; The court reaffirms Miranda / Timothy C. MacDonnell ; Only testimonial evidence is protected by the Fifth Amendment ; William J. Brennan Jr. ; A person should not be compelled to speak in a lineup / Abe Fortas ; Immunized testimony can be compelled from a witness / Lewis F. Powell Jr. -- pt. 2. Pleading the Fifth: witnesses who have refused to speak. Joseph McCarthy and the "Fifth Amendment Communists" / Donald A. Ritchie ; Oliver North's Fifth Amendment rights were not violated / Patricia M. Wald ; Pleading the Fifth at the O.J. Simpson trial / Mark Fuhrman -- pt. 3. Current issues and perspectives. Miranda rights are expanding / Gary L. Stuart -- The Supreme Court has eroded Miranda / Gerald Plessner -- Forcing suspects to identify themselves does not violate their right against self-incrimination / Cleveland Plain Dealer.