Which of the following Amendments addresses the rights of the accused?

The Fifth and Sixth Amendments are critical protections for individuals accused of crimes. The Fifth Amendment ensures that no person is held to answer for a capital or infamous crime without a grand jury's indictment, protects against double jeopardy, and guarantees due process of law. It also includes the right against self-incrimination, allowing individuals to refrain from testifying against themselves.

The Sixth Amendment focuses explicitly on the rights of the accused in criminal prosecutions. It guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to have legal counsel. Together, these amendments form the backbone of due process and ensure that accused individuals have fair treatment within the judicial system.

The other amendments mentioned do not concentrate on the rights of the accused. The First Amendment relates to freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, and the press; the Ninth Amendment addresses the protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution; and the Second Amendment pertains to the right to bear arms. Each of these serves different purposes within the Bill of Rights and does not directly provide protections specific to individuals facing criminal charges.