Schmerber v. California

Following is the case brief for Schmerber v. California, 384 U.S. 757 (1966) Case Summary of Schmerber v. California: Police ordered a physician to take petitioner’s blood, without petitioner’s consent, in connection with a drunk driving incident.  Petitioner was convicted of drunk driving with the blood sample as evidence against him. Petitioner appealed, claiming the taking of his blood violated his […]

Read more

Self Incrimination

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants every American the right to refuse to give testimony that would incriminate himself, or cause himself to appear guilty of a crime. The Fifth Amendment does not actually use the term “self incrimination,” but states “No person … shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” This […]

Read more