In legal terms, what does "due process" ensure?

"Due process" fundamentally refers to the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person. It ensures fair treatment in judicial proceedings, meaning that individuals have the right to be heard, to have a fair trial, and to receive notice of legal actions against them. This principle is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, highlighting that no person can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards.

While other options relate to important legal protections, they are specific rights that fall under the broader umbrella of due process. For instance, protection against arbitrary detention is an aspect of due process, but it is not the comprehensive definition. The right to bear arms and the right to a public trial, though significant, are also specific rights established under different legal provisions and do not encapsulate the wider concept of due process as a whole. Thus, the essence of due process is best captured by the assurance of fair treatment in judicial proceedings.