Which Amendment addresses protection against double jeopardy?

• A. Amendment 2
• B. Amendment 5
• C. Amendment 6
• D. Amendment 8

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is protection against being prosecuted twice for the same offense. That protection is found in the Fifth Amendment, which says no person shall be put twice in jeopardy of life or limb for the same offense. This means once a person has been tried and either acquitted or convicted, the government generally can’t retry them for the same crime in the same jurisdiction, and they can’t be punished twice for the same act. This safeguards finality and prevents ongoing harassment through repeated prosecutions.

The other amendments cover different rights. The second amendment concerns the right to keep and bear arms; the sixth guarantees rights related to a fair trial, such as counsel and speedy proceedings; the eighth restricts excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishment.