Which amendment provides protection against double jeopardy?

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution includes several important protections, one of which is the prohibition against double jeopardy. This means that an individual cannot be tried twice for the same offense after a legitimate acquittal or conviction. This protection is fundamental to ensuring fairness in the legal process and upholding the principle that once a person has been judged, they should not face the same charges again in a new trial.

The Fifth Amendment’s protection against double jeopardy serves to prevent the government from repeatedly prosecuting an individual, which could lead to harassment and abuse of the judicial system. It also upholds the integrity of judicial outcomes, maintaining public confidence in the finality of legal decisions.

The other amendments mentioned do cover important rights within the legal system, such as the right to a fair trial and protection against cruel and unusual punishment, but none of them specifically address the issue of double jeopardy. This unique focus is what solidifies the Fifth Amendment as the correct answer.