What does the principle of due process aim to guarantee for citizens?

The principle of due process is fundamentally related to ensuring that all citizens receive fair treatment under the law. It encompasses a variety of legal protections and rights that safeguard individuals from arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty, or property. While due process does include rights such as the right to a fair trial, it is broader in scope, encompassing various rights that protect citizens in legal proceedings and interactions with the government.

Due process is an essential aspect of the legal system that helps maintain order and protect individual freedoms, ensuring that everyone is afforded the same legal protections and opportunities to respond to accusations or grievances. This principle is enshrined in both the U.S. Constitution, particularly in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which gives it constitutional relevance that goes beyond any singular right.

While other options refer to specific rights, the principle of due process encapsulates the overarching idea of protecting the rights of citizens in all legal contexts.