Which amendment protects against state actions that deprive individuals of life, liberty, or property without due process, and guarantees equal protection?

• A. The First Amendment
• B. The Fourteenth Amendment
• C. The Fifth Amendment
• D. The Ninth Amendment

Answer: (B)

The Fourteenth Amendment is the one that locks in due process and equal protection against state actions. It extends the protections of the Bill of Rights to the states, so when a state acts to deprive someone of life, liberty, or property, it must follow fair procedures, and laws must treat people alike. This amendment was added after the Civil War to shield individuals from abusive state action and to begin incorporating fundamental rights against state governments. In practice, the due process clause ensures fair process before deprivation, and the equal protection clause guards against discriminatory treatment by the states.

The First Amendment covers freedoms like speech and religion but doesn’t specifically address state-deprivation due to due process or guarantee equal protection. The Fifth Amendment protects due process and other rights at the federal level, not the states. The Ninth Amendment protects rights retained by the people but doesn’t speak to state due process or equal protection. Thus, the Fourteenth Amendment best fits the description.