What rights does the 5th Amendment protect?

The 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution offers several crucial protections, primarily focusing on the rights of individuals accused of crimes. One of its key aspects is the protection against self-incrimination, which means that individuals cannot be compelled to testify against themselves in a criminal case. This principle supports the idea of a fair trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Additionally, the 5th Amendment includes rights related to due process, ensuring that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal proceedings. It also provides for protection against double jeopardy, meaning an individual cannot be tried twice for the same offense. Therefore, option A accurately captures the essence of the protections offered by the 5th Amendment, as it encompasses these fundamental rights of the accused, ensuring they have legal safeguards in the judicial process.

The other options relate to different amendments: free speech is protected by the 1st Amendment, the right to bear arms by the 2nd Amendment, and the right to education is generally addressed through various state constitutions and not explicitly stated in the federal Constitution.