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Introduction 388 I. History & Development of the Act-of-Production Doctrine 390 A. Boyd v. United States 391 B. Fisher v. United States and United States v. Hubbell 395 II. Compelled [...], The Fifth Amendment's Self-incrimination Clause prohibits the government from compelling any person to be a "witness" against herself. Historically, the scope of that prohibition encompassed the compelled production of any evidence--including documents--from suspects. The Supreme Court, however, has winnowed the prohibition to oral communications only. This Article argues that the current doctrine is neither logically nor historically credible and calls for the reinstatement of silence as a core right in criminal procedure. In the corrupted currents of this world Offence's gilded hand may shove by justice. And oft 'tis seen the wicked prize itself Buys out the law: but 'tis not so above; There is no shuffling, there the action lies In his true nature; and we ourselves compell'd Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults. To give in evidence. -- Claudius, King of Denmark (1)