LEGAL

RESEARCH

Malloy v. Hogan

Facts

The defendant was arrested for and pled guilty to a misdemeanor gambling charge. While on probation, he was ordered to testify before a county referee conducting an investigation into gambling in the local area. The defendant refused to answer any questions on the grounds the answers may incriminate him. The court held the defendant in contempt for failing to answer the questions.

Issue

Whether the Fifth Amendment’s self-incrimination clause applies to state actions?

Held

Yes. Through the Fourteenth Amendment, the states must abide by the legal principles of the Fifth Amendment’s Self-Incrimination Clause.The Court held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution requires states to respect the self-incrimination principles of the Fifth Amendment. The defendant may refrain from answering questions that would support a confession or provide a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute him.

Discussion

The Court held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution requires states to respect the self-incrimination principles of the Fifth Amendment. The defendant may refrain from answering questions that would support a confession or provide a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute him.

Citation

378 U.S. 1, 84 S. Ct. 1489 (1964)

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