What does the term "due process" refer to?

The term "due process" refers to the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, ensuring fair treatment through the normal judicial system. It encompasses both procedural and substantive rights that protect individuals from arbitrary action by the government. Procedural due process involves the methods and procedures used in legal proceedings, ensuring that defendants are given a fair trial, the right to present their case, and a chance to be heard.

In contrast, the other options focus on specific rights that are part of the broader concept of due process but do not cover its full scope. The right to a speedy trial is a specific procedural safeguard, while protection against self-incrimination is a right provided to individuals during legal proceedings. Lastly, ensuring the right to appeal a conviction is also a component of due process but is one aspect that falls under the wider umbrella of fair treatment in the judicial system. Therefore, the correct definition of due process is best captured by the notion of fair treatment through the normal judicial system.