Can a witness refuse to answer a question in a hearing?

The correct answer is that a witness can refuse to answer a question if the answer might incriminate them, which aligns with the principle of the Fifth Amendment in legal contexts. This constitutional protection allows individuals to avoid self-incrimination during legal proceedings, including hearings. Witnesses can invoke this right to refuse to provide answers that could potentially expose them to criminal liability.

In most legal settings, individuals are not mandated to answer questions that may lead to their own downfall or legal troubles. This protection is critical for upholding fairness in the judicial process, ensuring that individuals cannot be compelled to divulge potentially harmful information against themselves.

While the other options suggest various circumstances under which a witness might or might not respond, they do not hold true under the legal framework protecting a witness’s right to refuse self-incriminating testimony. The obligation to answer questions does not extend to those that could lead to self-incrimination, making this legal safeguard paramount in hearing procedures.