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The Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment

Fifth Amendment

What freedoms does the Fifth Amendment protect?

The Fifth Amendment provides: “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.”

The Fifth Amendment—the longest in the Bill of Rights—provides the following protections:

  1. Right to a grand jury

  2. Protection against double jeopardy

  3. Protection against self-incrimination

  4. Due process

  5. Just compensation