CLAIM OF PRIVILEGE IN CIVIL CASES

(a) Comment permitted. In a civil action, a party’s claim of the privilege against self-incrimination is a proper subject of comment by a judge or by counsel, regardless of whether the party claimed the privilege in the present proceeding or on a prior occasion. (b) Inference permitted. In a civil action, the fact finder may draw an appropriate inference from a party’s claim of the privilege against self incrimination. (c) Claim of privilege by a nonparty witness. Rule 512 governs a nonparty witness’s claim of privilege in a civil action or proceeding. (d) Claim of privilege against self-incrimination. Rule 512 governs any party’s or witness’s claim of any privilege other than the privilege against self-incrimination in a civil action or proceeding. the privilege other than