Which amendment addresses self-incrimination?

• A. First Amendment
• B. Fifth Amendment
• C. Third Amendment
• D. Seventh Amendment

Answer: (B)

Self-incrimination protection is provided by the Fifth Amendment, which states that no person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. This means you can refuse to answer questions or provide statements that could be used to prosecute you, and it underpins the right to remain silent, including the warnings people hear during custodial interrogations (Miranda rights). The safeguard mainly covers testimonial communication in criminal prosecutions, not every kind of evidence or compelled act, which is why some physical evidence can be compelled in certain situations. The other amendments address different rights—speech and religion, quartering of soldiers, and civil jury trials—so they do not deal with self-incrimination.