Final answer:
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right of individuals not to testify against themselves, which can lead to self-incrimination, known as "taking the Fifth." This right was further emphasized in the Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona, requiring suspects to be informed of their rights before interrogation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amendment that guarantees the rights of citizens to not testify against themselves because of the possibility that such testimony might incriminate them is the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This provision is widely known as "taking the Fifth" and protects people from being compelled to provide evidence in court or to law enforcement that could admit guilt. The landmark Supreme Court ruling in Miranda v. Arizona further solidified this protection by requiring suspects to be informed of their rights, including the right against self-incrimination, before being interrogated while in police custody.
Claiming the right against self-incrimination allows witnesses to refuse answering questions from government entities if they believe their responses could lead to criminal prosecution. Only when immunity from prosecution is offered may witnesses be compelled to testify. This can pose challenges for law enforcement as confessions are often key to obtaining convictions.
The Fifth Amendment and the Miranda Rights are crucial aspects of the American legal system, ensuring that individuals are protected against self-incrimination and that any evidence collected during interrogation is done so with full acknowledgment of these rights.