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The_Dunedan · 06-01-2010, 10:25 AM

Repeat after me, folks:

I do not wish to make any statement at this time. I do not consent to any search of my person, property, papers or effects. I wish to speak to an attorney immediately.

Repeat as necessary. SAY NOTHING ELSE. This entire ruling stinks, and here's what it smells like: an attempt to force defendants into uttering the jury-prejudicing words "incriminate myself" or "self-incrimination" or some permutation thereof, ie "Under my 5th Amendment rights, I refuse to answer the Prosecutor's question on the grounds of self-incrimination." While this phrasing does not admit specific guilt, it -does- acknowledge that the answer would be incriminating and thereby requires the defendant to admit general guilt while being "allowed" to not confirm specific guilt. Any Juror hearing -that-, especially with all the "help" jurors get in making up their minds these days (ie Judge's "instructions") will all but default to conviction.

06-01-2010, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
The_Dunedan Junkie	Repeat after me, folks: I do not wish to make any statement at this time. I do not consent to any search of my person, property, papers or effects. I wish to speak to an attorney immediately. Repeat as necessary. SAY NOTHING ELSE. This entire ruling stinks, and here's what it smells like: an attempt to force defendants into uttering the jury-prejudicing words "incriminate myself" or "self-incrimination" or some permutation thereof, ie "Under my 5th Amendment rights, I refuse to answer the Prosecutor's question on the grounds of self-incrimination." While this phrasing does not admit specific guilt, it -does- acknowledge that the answer would be incriminating and thereby requires the defendant to admit general guilt while being "allowed" to not confirm specific guilt. Any Juror hearing -that-, especially with all the "help" jurors get in making up their minds these days (ie Judge's "instructions") will all but default to conviction. Last edited by The_Dunedan; 06-01-2010 at 10:31 AM..