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Law enforcement has the laptop as evidence. I think they should bash away. Just don't ask the defendant to divulge something that only they know and may have ramifications beyond the issue at hand.

Giving a password isn't like a safe combination or physically opening a door. That password could be used to unlock other systems not relevant to the case. Or it might in and of itself be incriminating or damaging to the defendant unlike a key/combo which is single purpose. E.G. passwords like ???killer??? or ???slayu??? might prejudice an investigation. Thus a password through content, usage and origin falls under self-incrimination.

But as I said earlier, if you can't recall what the password is then the issue is moot. Who amongst us hasn't forgotten their password...