Which amendment protects against self-incrimination?

The Fifth Amendment is the provision that protects individuals from self-incrimination. This amendment specifically states that no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself," ensuring that individuals cannot be forced to provide testimony that could potentially incriminate them. This protection is a fundamental aspect of due process and is designed to uphold the rights of individuals in a legal setting, allowing them to remain silent and not face coercive interrogation that could lead to false confessions or unjust convictions.

In contrast, the Third Amendment addresses the quartering of soldiers in private homes, which is unrelated to self-incrimination. The Ninth Amendment acknowledges that individuals have rights beyond those specifically enumerated in the Constitution, but it does not explicitly address self-incrimination. The Fourteenth Amendment primarily focuses on citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, which, while crucial for personal rights, does not specifically mention self-incrimination. Thus, the Fifth Amendment's explicit language and protection is what makes it the correct answer regarding protection against self-incrimination.