Which amendment provides for equal protection of the law?

The Fourteenth Amendment provides for equal protection of the laws within the United States. Ratified in 1868, the amendment includes the Equal Protection Clause, which states that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This clause has been pivotal in various landmark Supreme Court cases addressing discrimination and civil rights, ensuring that all individuals are treated equally under the law, regardless of race, gender, or other characteristics.

In contrast, the Sixth Amendment focuses on the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a speedy trial and legal counsel. The Fifth Amendment addresses rights in legal proceedings, including protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, but does not specifically mention equal protection. The Fourth Amendment primarily deals with protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Each of the other amendments serves different functions within the legal framework, whereas the Fourteenth Amendment is specifically engineered to uphold equality before the law for all citizens.