Wednesday: Law & Civics
What is the legal principle that requires government officials to justify their actions in court and to follow established procedures?
Hint: This principle is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and ensures fairness and accountability in legal and governmental actions.
Due process ensuring that government actions respect individual rights and follow established legal procedures.
Due process is a fundamental legal principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that government actions respect individual rights and follow established legal procedures. Rooted in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, it guarantees that no person can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal proceedings.
Due process is divided into two key aspects: procedural due process, which focuses on the fairness and transparency of legal processes, and substantive due process, which protects fundamental rights from unjust government interference.
This principle upholds the rule of law and safeguards citizens against arbitrary actions by government officials.
What about the other answers?
Judicial Review: The power of courts to assess the constitutionality of laws or actions, often associated with legal accountability.
Equal Protection: A legal doctrine guaranteeing that individuals receive the same treatment under the law, closely tied to due process in legal discussions.
Habeas Corpus: A legal principle ensuring that individuals cannot be held without being brought before a court.