Which amendments are protected by Miranda warnings?

• A. First and Second
• B. Fifth and Eighth
• C. Fifth and Sixth
• D. Fourth and Fifth

Answer: (C)

Miranda warnings address two protections that come from the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. The Fifth Amendment guards against compulsory self-incrimination, so the warning about the right to remain silent is aimed at preventing someone from being forced to say something that could be used against them. The Sixth Amendment protects the right to counsel, so the warning that you have the right to an attorney during questioning ensures you can have legal help present if you choose to speak. The other amendments listed don’t address rights tied to interrogation in custody—Fourth covers searches and seizures, while the Eighth, First, and Second address other protections. So the combination of safeguarded rights in Miranda warnings is the Fifth and the Sixth.