Final answer:
The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects an individual against self-incrimination, often referred to as "taking the fifth."
This protection is a key part of Miranda Rights and ensures that individuals do not have to provide testimony that might lead to their own prosecution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fifth Amendment and Protection Against Self-Incrimination
The constitutional amendment that protects the individual against self-incrimination is D. the Fifth Amendment. This amendment ensures that individuals have the right to refuse to answer questions that may incriminate themselves in a criminal case.
Commonly referred to as "taking the fifth," this legal principle is an essential part of the justice system and is a component of Miranda Rights, as established by the Miranda v. Arizona case in 1966.
Under the Fifth Amendment, witnesses may only be compelled to testify if they are granted immunity from prosecution. This protection also extends to the concept that the prosecution cannot imply guilt from a defendant's silence in court.
The rights under the Fifth Amendment are a cornerstone of legal procedures and are instrumental in maintaining a balance between effective law enforcement and protecting the rights of suspects.