What does the term "due process" ensure?

The term "due process" specifically ensures that all individuals are afforded the legal rights owed to them under the law. This principle, rooted in the Constitution, particularly in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, mandates that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards.

Due process serves as a protection against arbitrary denial of legal rights, ensuring that laws are not applied in an unfair manner. This encompasses not only the requirement of fair treatment in legal proceedings but also guarantees various rights during those processes—like the right to be notified of legal actions, the right to present a defense, and the right to an impartial judge.

While fair and impartial trials are certainly a component of due process, the broader concept of due process also includes ensuring that legal rights are respected in various contexts beyond just trials. Thus, the focus on the respect for all legal rights owed to a person encapsulates the essence of what due process entails, making this the correct choice.