re: FBI currently raiding Mar a Lago

quote:

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Sir. Do you think there is just a bit of difference in a civil case about some tax assessment and a Federal crime against the United States of America?

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Not sure exactly what you are asking. Yes, I know this is a civil case and not a criminal one. I understand the difference.

That said, you can't plead the fifth merely to avoid stating something that might harm your case in a civil trial. If they asked me in a deposition if I made some contractual agreement, I am not allowed to plead the fifth simply because my answer will harm my civil case. Since answering the question would not put me in legal jeopardy (unless I lied of course), I can be forced to answer it.

You can only claim the fifth if answering the questions might put you in criminal jeopardy.