Ohio v. Reiner

The Supreme Court held that, while the self-incrimination protection only extended to witnesses who had reasonable cause to apprehend danger from a direct answer, the babysitter’s expression of innocence did not by itself eliminate the babysitter’s privilege. It was reasonable for the babysitter to fear that answers to possible questions might tend to incriminate her, despite her asserted innocence.

The witness’ assertion of innocence did not, by itself, preclude her invocation of the privilege against self-incrimination. Therefore, the court’s grant of immunity to the witness was not prejudicial. In view of the defense accusation that the witness committed the child abuse, the witness had reasonable ground to fear that answers might tend to incriminate her.