You can assert the 5th amendment in a civil suit, if you fear potential criminal prosecution. If you couldn't, then the 5th amendment protections would essenti

You can assert the 5th amendment in a civil suit, if you fear potential criminal prosecution. If you couldn't, then the 5th amendment protections would essentially disappear in many cases. Many criminal offenses also give rise to civil liability. So, all that would have to happen is for the victim to sue the criminal defendant, notice his/her deposition in the civil case, and compel the criminal defendant to speak that way. Then you would suddenly have the defendant being forced to testify under oath, despite the fear of criminal prosecution.