NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution primarily protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves in criminal cases, safeguarding the right against self-incrimination. This means that an accused person cannot be forced to provide evidence or testimony that may prove their own guilt, which is a fundamental protection in ensuring fair legal proceedings. It is often recognized in the context of the legal principle “pleading the Fifth,” where a witness may refuse to answer questions that could incriminate them.

In addition to the right against self-incrimination, the Fifth Amendment also includes other provisions such as protection against double jeopardy and guarantees the due process of law. However, in the context of this question, the focus is on its most notable protection concerning self-incrimination, making this choice the correct answer to what the Fifth Amendment specifically protects.