In re Cohen

Despite all disclaimers to the contrary, respondent is being disbarred for pleading his privilege against self incrimination. The Court of Appeals of this State is committed to the view that this cannot be done and in Matter of Grae (282 N. Y. 428, 434-435) stated: “ The privilege against self-incrimination is a constitutional guaranty of a fundamental personal right. Long regarded as a safeguard of civil liberty it was firmly imbedded in the law of England and by the Fifth Amendment to the Federal Constitution became a basic principle of American constitutional law. ‘ It is a barrier…