Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Practice Exam

Which amendment ensures equal protection under the law?

1. 10th Amendment

2. 12th Amendment

3. 14th Amendment

4. 15th Amendment

The correct answer is: 14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment is significant because it explicitly provides for equal protection under the law, which is a cornerstone of civil rights in the United States. Ratified in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War, the amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection guarantees. The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment states that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws." This means that individuals in similar situations must be treated equally by the law, and it prohibits states from discriminating against individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, and religion. This amendment has been the foundation for many landmark Supreme Court cases that addressed issues of civil rights and discrimination. In contrast, the other amendments listed do not specifically establish equal protection under the law. The 10th Amendment delineates the balance of power between the federal government and the states, the 12th Amendment modifies the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, and the 15th Amendment prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, but does not address broader equal protection rights. Thus, the 14th Amendment is the key amendment that guarantees equal protection under the law.