What does "due process" guarantee?

The concept of "due process" is rooted in the legal principle that guarantees individuals fair treatment through the normal judicial system. This means that all legal proceedings must be conducted fairly, with adequate notice and a chance to be heard in front of a neutral party. Due process is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which collectively ensure that no individual can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal procedures.

This principle encompasses various rights, including the right to a fair trial, the opportunity to present and contest evidence, and the right to legal representation. It ensures that individuals are treated fairly and justly under the law, safeguarding against arbitrary decision-making by the government or judicial entities.

While the other options touch upon aspects related to legal proceedings and rights, they do not encapsulate the full breadth of what due process guarantees. For example, expedited judicial proceedings may benefit some defendants but aren't universally guaranteed under due process. Immediate release from custody upon request is not a due process right, as it overlooks the necessary procedures that may need to be followed before a release. Protection from self-incrimination is a specific right that stems from due process but doesn't cover the broader commitment to fair judicial treatment as effectively as