What is considered due process of law?

The concept of due process of law primarily revolves around ensuring fairness and justice in legal proceedings. Standard procedures in government legal actions are fundamental to due process because they provide the framework within which legal rights are protected and upheld. This means that individuals are entitled to a consistent and established process before they can be deprived of life, liberty, or property. Due process ensures that all legal actions follow predetermined rules and procedures, allowing parties to a legal matter to receive fair treatment and an unbiased resolution.

While being informed about legal rights, having immediate access to legal representation, and, in some cases, the requirement for jury trials, are important components of justice, they do not fully encapsulate the broader and more comprehensive notion of due process, which is fundamentally about the adherence to proper legal procedures in governmental actions. Therefore, the emphasis on standard procedures directly reflects the essence of due process.