Fifth Amendment

Adopted in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution contains a number of important clauses that protect individuals against governmental authority. Many of these guarantees relate to procedures governing the prosecution of criminal offenses. The Fifth Amendment requires that:

• No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime unless a grand jury issues an indictment or presentment.
  
• No person shall be tried twice for the same offense (Double Jeopardy).
  
• No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself in any criminal case.
  
• No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
  
• No person shall be deprived of property for public use, without just compensation.

See also Fifth Amendment Right against Self Incrimination