What is meant by due process of law?

Due process of law refers to the legal requirement that the government must respect and uphold all legal rights that are owed to an individual under the law. This principle ensures that individuals are given a fair and impartial chance to defend themselves in legal matters, protecting them from arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty, or property. The concept of due process is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which mandate that no person shall be deprived of their rights without appropriate legal procedures.

By focusing on the legal rights owed to individuals, due process emphasizes the necessity of adherence to established rules and procedures in legal proceedings. It implies that laws must be applied fairly and that individuals should have the opportunity to challenge legal actions against them in a fair setting, ensuring that justice is served.

While fairness (as mentioned in one of the other options) is a component of due process, it is the respect for legal rights that most directly encapsulates the broader and more formalized concept. The requirement to provide attorneys or to enforce laws equally addresses specific aspects of justice but does not fully define due process itself.