what does the fifth amendment mean???

The fifth amendment basically just says that you have the right not to incriminate yourself. Basically if you are testifying in court and answering the question would indicate you in a crime you have the right to plead the fifth amendment allowing you not to answer the question. Also says that you can't be charged twice for a crime. I think there is something about due process and eminent domain but I am not sure.

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/det...

This link explains the 5th amendment in simpler terms. Use the scroll bar to go to any other amendment you want to see.

Even faster: go into google and type this:

define: fifth amendment

Click search and you will get a one sentence summary of the amendment! Works for any amendment.

5th Amendment Summary

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

The language is simple enough. If you cannot figure it out from there, do a web search or open a dictionary.

try this

http://www.ratical.org/co-globalize/BillOfRights.h...