What fundamental right does the Fifth Amendment ensure?

The Fifth Amendment is a key part of the United States Constitution that ensures several fundamental rights, among which is the right to due process of law. This right protects individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures and safeguards. Due process requires that legal proceedings be conducted fairly and that individuals receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before any governmental action that affects their rights can take place.

This principle serves as a cornerstone of the legal system, ensuring that laws are applied consistently and that individuals are treated equitably under the law. The importance of due process cannot be overstated, as it not only safeguards individual rights against arbitrary decisions by the state but also upholds the rule of law in society.

While the other options reference important legal rights, such as protection from cruel and unusual punishment, the right to bear arms, and the right to a trial by jury, they do not encompass the essential and overarching guarantee of due process that the Fifth Amendment provides.