What does "due process" ensure?

"Due process" refers to the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person. It ensures that individuals are given fair procedures and protections under the law, particularly in legal proceedings. This concept is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which state that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

This means that individuals have the right to a fair trial, to be heard in court, and to receive appropriate legal representation. The underlying principle is that everyone is entitled to fair treatment and that legal processes must be followed consistently and without bias.

While affordable housing, the right to protest, and access to education are all important issues related to civil rights and liberties, they do not directly define what "due process" entails. Instead, due process specifically centers on the legal rights and protections afforded to individuals in the judicial system.