What does "due process" mean?

Due process is a fundamental legal principle that ensures individuals are treated fairly and justly within the legal system. This concept is rooted in the idea that everyone is entitled to equitable treatment and the opportunity to defend themselves in legal proceedings. Due process encompasses a variety of rights, including the right to a fair trial, representation, adequate notice of legal actions, and the opportunity to present evidence. It aims to protect individuals from arbitrary or unfair treatment by the government and ensures that legal processes are conducted in a transparent and just manner.

The definition encompasses both substantive due process, which focuses on the rights themselves that people possess, and procedural due process, which emphasizes the proper procedures that must be followed in legal processes. In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the full scope of what due process entails. While they may touch on aspects of the legal system, they do not reflect the overarching principle of fairness and justice that due process represents.