ASSENTING-SILENCE DOCTRINE
assenting-silence doctrine.The principle that an accusation will be taken as true, despite
silence by the accused, if the accusation was made under circumstances in which silence can be
fairly said to be an agreement. • This doctrine is usu. held to be invalid as a measure of a criminal
defendant’s guilt. [Cases: Criminal Law 407. C.J.S. Criminal Law § 887.][Blacks Law 8th]