Which amendment protects against self-incrimination?

Which amendment protects against self-incrimination?

• A. First
• B. Fourth
• C. Fifth
• D. Sixth

Answer: (C)

Self-incrimination is the act of exposing information that could be used to convict you, and the protection against that is provided by the Fifth Amendment. It establishes a privilege against compelled self-incrimination, so you can refuse to answer questions or give testimony if doing so could reveal your own criminal liability. This protection applies in police interrogations, grand jury proceedings, and trials, though immunity can sometimes lift the shield in certain circumstances. The other amendments protect different rights—freedom of speech and religion, protection against unreasonable searches, and the right to a speedy, fair trial with counsel—and none of them specifically shield you from being forced to incriminate yourself.

Self-incrimination is the act of exposing information that could be used to convict you, and the protection against that is provided by the Fifth Amendment. It establishes a privilege against compelled self-incrimination, so you can refuse to answer questions or give testimony if doing so could reveal your own criminal liability. This protection applies in police interrogations, grand jury proceedings, and trials, though immunity can sometimes lift the shield in certain circumstances. The other amendments protect different rights—freedom of speech and religion, protection against unreasonable searches, and the right to a speedy, fair trial with counsel—and none of them specifically shield you from being forced to incriminate yourself.