Which amendment provides protection against self-incrimination?

The Fifth Amendment is the correct choice because it specifically includes a provision that protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves in criminal cases. This right against self-incrimination is crucial in legal proceedings, ensuring that a person cannot be forced to provide information or evidence that may incriminate them. The foundational principle behind this protection is to uphold the fairness of the legal process and to prevent coercive interrogation tactics.

The First Amendment relates primarily to freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition, and does not address self-incrimination. The Eighth Amendment focuses on prohibiting excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment, which is separate from the issue of self-incrimination. The Fourteenth Amendment deals with citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, but it does not contain provisions specifically related to self-incrimination. Therefore, the Fifth Amendment stands as the protector of this essential right in the context of legal proceedings.