Which amendment protects against being compelled to testify against oneself?

The 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution is the provision that protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves, a principle often referred to as "pleading the Fifth." This amendment ensures that no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself," allowing individuals to refuse to answer questions or provide information that could potentially incriminate themselves in a criminal investigation or trial.

This protection is a fundamental right in the American legal system, aimed at preventing coercive interrogations and safeguarding against self-incrimination. It reflects the belief that it is better for the guilty to go free than for the innocent to be wrongly convicted based on coerced testimony.

In contrast, the other amendments listed focus on different aspects of legal rights. The 6th Amendment guarantees rights related to criminal prosecutions including the right to a fair trial. The 7th Amendment addresses the right to trial by jury in civil cases. Lastly, the 8th Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Each of these amendments plays a critical role in the justice system but does not relate to the specific protection against self-incrimination that is encapsulated in the 5th Amendment.