Garrity Rule

The Garrity Rule is a legal principle that protects public employees from having their statements used against them in criminal prosecutions if those statements were made under threat of job loss or disciplinary action. Essentially, if an employer compels an employee to give evidence or statements as a condition of employment, those statements are considered "protected" and cannot be used as evidence in criminal court, encouraging honest cooperation without fear of self-incrimination. It balances employee rights with law enforcement needs, ensuring participation in internal investigations doesn't automatically lead to criminal liability.