Which amendment guarantees citizens the right to due process and equal protection of the law?

The Fourteenth Amendment is fundamental in the context of due process and equal protection under the law. It was ratified in 1868 and is one of the key amendments that expanded civil rights in the United States, particularly after the Civil War. The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment ensures that states cannot deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. This means that individuals are entitled to fair procedures and legal protections, regardless of their circumstances.

Additionally, the equal protection clause mandates that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This provision requires states to treat individuals in similar conditions equally, which serves as a vital legal foundation for various civil rights cases and movements aimed at combating discrimination.

In contrast, the other amendments mentioned do not provide the same explicit guarantees related to due process and equal protection. For example, the First Amendment primarily addresses freedoms concerning religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The Fourth Amendment focuses on the rights of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fifth Amendment does include some due process protections, but it applies mainly at the federal level. The extensive scope and impact of the Fourteenth Amendment make it the correct choice regarding the right to