What is the 5th Amendment?
The 5th Amendment is about Trial and Punishment and its provisions were extended in 1966 to include the reading of rights - the Miranda Rights.
Summary of the 5th Amendment
Summary: The 5th Amendment states that the government must follow the due process of the law before punishing a person and that all citizens had the right to a trial by jury. It also states that a person cannot be put on trial twice for the same crime or that person on trial for a crime does not have to testify against themselves in court - "Pleading the 5th".
5th Amendment - Trial and Punishment
George Washington was the first American President who served in office from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797. One of the key events during his presidency was the ratification of the 5th Amendment to the Constitution. The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights, which includes the 5th amendment, was ratified (meaning approved) on December 15, 1791.
5th Amendment Simplified Summary
A simplified summary of the 5th Amendment is:
The Rights of Persons accused of Crimes
Cause and Reason for the 5th Amendment
The cause or reason for this addition to the Constitution was due to the British refusing to grant the same rights to American subjects as they gave to people in Great Britain. Many people were jailed without even being accused of a crime. This specifically referred to the right of a Trial by Jury and the right not incriminate themselves.
5th Amendment Text - Due Process Clause
The 5th Amendment is also referred to as the Double Jeopardy and the Due Process Clause. Both the 5th and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution contain a Due Process Clause. 'Due process' deals with the administration of justice and the Due Process Clauses act as safeguards from arbitrary denial of life, liberty or property by the Government, outside the authorization of law.
5th Amendment Meaning, Explanation and Summary
The outrage of the early colonists against the treatment, and the laws, imposed by the British led to the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. The meaning of the words and phrases in the 5th Amendment of the Constitution are explained as follows:
The 1798 Vice Admiralty Court Act, one of the laws in the Townshend Acts, created new Admiralty Courts in which colonial smugglers would be prosecuted without a jury in which the verdicts would be decided solely by the judge.
This important section of the Bill of Rights made it completely clear that every person had the right to a trial by jury.
Meaning: An exception to the right to a trial by jury related to violations of Military Law. This clause was saying that people serving in the military could be put on trial without an indictment or a grand jury, if they committed a crime during war or a national emergency.
Miranda Rights:
In 1966 the United States Supreme Court extended the 5th Amendment protections to encompass any situation outside of the courtroom that involves the restriction of personal freedom. This means that a person is read their rights, as follows:
"You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you."