What does the term "due process of law" ensure?

The term "due process of law" is a fundamental legal principle that guarantees individuals the right to fair treatment through the normal judicial system. It ensures that before a person can be deprived of life, liberty, or property, they must be provided with adequate legal protections. This includes the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to an attorney, the right to a fair trial, and the right to appeal decisions.

Due process is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, specifically requiring that all legal proceedings be conducted fairly and that individuals have an opportunity to defend themselves. This principle is crucial in maintaining the rule of law and protecting individual rights within the state legal systems.

The other options do not encapsulate the broad protections offered by due process. Immediate trials may not always be feasible or fair; military representation pertains specifically to cases involving military law rather than civilian due process; and while the right to bear arms is protected under the Second Amendment, it is not an aspect of due process of law.