What is due process of law?

Due process of law refers to the fair treatment a person is entitled to through the judicial system, as guaranteed by the Constitution. This fundamental principle ensures that individuals receive a fair hearing, have the right to be heard, and are provided with notice and an opportunity to defend themselves before any governmental deprivation of life, liberty, or property occurs. It encompasses both procedural due process, which involves the steps that must be taken to ensure fairness in legal proceedings, and substantive due process, which protects certain fundamental rights from government interference.

The other options, while related to aspects of legal rights, do not capture the essence of due process as completely as the concept of fair treatment through the judicial system. Immediate trial by jury represents a specific right rather than an overarching principle, the right to appeal is a procedural right that comes into play after a decision has been made, and legal immunity relates to the protection from lawsuits rather than the fair treatment aspect of legal proceedings. Thus, the focus on fair treatment provides a more comprehensive understanding of due process of law.