ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Right to silence in England and Wales

Okay kiddo, so you know how sometimes when you're in trouble, you might not want to talk to grown-ups about it? Well, in England and Wales, adults have something called the right to silence which means they can choose not to say anything if they think it might get them into trouble.

This right is really important because it means that people don't have to give evidence against themselves - they can keep quiet and not incriminate themselves. It also means that if someone is accused of doing something wrong, they don't have to say anything if they don't want to and this shouldn't be used against them in court.

However, there are some circumstances where the right to silence doesn't apply. For example, if someone is suspected of being involved in a serious crime, the police might ask them questions and it could be seen as suspicious if they refuse to answer. And if someone is called as a witness in court, they have to answer questions, even if they don't want to.

So, basically, the right to silence is a really important rule in England and Wales that basically means people don't have to say anything that might get them into trouble, unless there are special circumstances where they have to.