What does "due process" require?

Due process is a fundamental concept in the legal system that ensures individuals are given fair treatment and protection under the law. It stems from the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees that no person shall be deprived of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

The requirement for fair treatment through the normal judicial system means that individuals have the right to a fair trial, an impartial judge, and the opportunity to present their case in a legal setting. This is essential because it safeguards citizens from arbitrary actions by the government and ensures that legal proceedings are conducted according to established rules and principles.

While the other options touch on important rights and protections within the legal system, they do not encompass the broader scope of what "due process" entails. For instance, the right to an immediate trial or the right to appeal addresses specific aspects of the judicial process but does not capture the entirety of due process, which is fundamentally about fairness in the legal process as a whole. Similarly, protection from all forms of punishment is an important consideration but does not reflect the procedural guarantees that due process signifies.