Veritaserum: the legal basis

[Indigo]

No: HPFGUIDX 47599

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Christopher Nuttall" 
<christopher_g_nuttall at h...> wrote:
> I'm not sure if this applies everywhere, but there are laws against 
self-incrimination in Britain. 

Technically, the same is true of the states.  The Fifth Amendment 
allows a person to refuse to answer questions on the grounds that it 
might incriminate them.

One loses the ability to say that when under truth serum.

 I suspect that's why the use of truth drugs is not widespread.  I've 
never heard of any case where people have *asked* to be injected with 
the drugs, but I can see not real objection.  I'll inquire with my 
legal teacher.  

But I'm not sure the wizarding world would care as much about that.  
I mean they have spells and devices that allow them to scry or look 
into the past, and see things.  Pensieves, at least, are purchasable 
anywhere.  And while Dumbledore's is kept under lock and key,  
an "alohamora" spell could get past that depending on how good the 
lock is, and there would be self-incriminating stuff for anyone to 
see.
> 
> On a different note, suppose Mrs. Smith, a suspected DE, was 
offered the Veritaserum test.  Now, if she had nothing to hide (and 
for the purpose of this she's innocent) she would take the test.  
However, during one of the times of her suspected crimes she was 
really in bed with her lover - cheating on her husband.  Would she 
take the test if she could get out of it?  Just because she's not a 
DE does not mean that she has nothing to hide.
> 
> Chris
> 
Also very true.

--Indigo