What does the 5th amendment protect individuals against?

The 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides crucial protections for individuals, particularly in legal proceedings. It explicitly protects against self-incrimination, meaning that individuals cannot be compelled to testify against themselves in a criminal case. This safeguard is essential for maintaining the right to a fair trial, as it ensures that defendants can choose not to provide evidence that could lead to their own conviction.

Additionally, the 5th Amendment protects against double jeopardy, which prevents a person from being tried for the same crime twice after either an acquittal or a conviction. This further reinforces the principle of legal finality, ensuring that once a verdict has been reached, individuals cannot be subjected to continual prosecution for the same offense.

Both protections reflect the Amendment's broader goal of providing individuals with a fair and just legal process, preventing the government from exerting undue pressure and ensuring that rights are respected throughout the judicial system. Therefore, the correct answer encompasses both of these critical protections provided by the 5th Amendment.