What does the Fifth Amendment protect against?

The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution is primarily concerned with protecting individuals from abuses in legal procedures and ensuring fair treatment within the judicial system. It explicitly safeguards against double jeopardy, meaning that no person can be tried for the same crime more than once after a verdict has been reached. This prevents the government from subjecting an individual to multiple trials for the same offense, which could otherwise lead to harassment and undue stress.

Additionally, the Fifth Amendment also protects individuals from self-incrimination. This means that a person cannot be compelled to testify against themselves in a criminal case, thereby allowing them the right to remain silent. This protection is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the legal process and upholding an individual's right to a fair trial.

These two key protections—against double jeopardy and self-incrimination—form the core of the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of due process, highlighting its role in safeguarding personal freedoms in the face of governmental power.