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I'll offer my "rag doll testimony" IANAL axiom: re the 5th Amendment (right against compelled self-incrimination) the court can only "compel" your "testimony" i
by ctdonath 12y ago
I'll offer my "rag doll testimony" IANAL axiom: re the 5th Amendment (right against compelled self-incrimination) the court can only "compel" your "testimony" insofar as they can manipulate your limp uncooperative body for fingerprints, hair samples, and other non-invasive observations. Anything inside your body, including blood & ideas, is yours to retain as you see fit.
Not perfect, but seems generally sensible. Have at it.
- Terr_ 12y agoCaveat: The rag-doll should be considered mindless. No fair trying to project EM radiation into it in order to make it susceptible to verbal suggestion either.
- Crito 12y agoI would also be wary of putting the limp rag-doll into an MRI, then talking to it and seeing how the brain lights up.
- baddox 12y agoDepends on your definition of "compel." If the government offers you a choice between you giving testimony or them making your life a living hell, I would consider that compulsion.
- ctdonath 12y agoHence my putting 'compel' in quotes, and proceeding to define it. The whole "testify or we'll make your life a living hell" thing should be prosecuted via "violation of rights under color of law", which can carry some pretty severe penalties.