What does "due process" ensure for individuals?

Due process ensures that individuals receive fair treatment through the normal judicial system. It is a fundamental principle that seeks to guarantee that all procedural safeguards are followed during legal proceedings. This includes the right to be heard, the right to an impartial tribunal, and the right to a fair trial. The purpose of due process is to protect individuals from arbitrary actions by the government and to uphold legal protections that enable justice to be served fairly and equitably.

While swift punishment, protection from unlawful searches, and immediate trials may all be components of a larger legal framework, they do not encapsulate the comprehensive meaning of due process. Swift punishment might conflict with the idea of a fair trial, and protections against unlawful searches pertain more to Fourth Amendment rights. Immediate trials could infringe upon an individual's right to adequately prepare their defense, which is a key aspect of due process. Thus, fair treatment through the normal judicial system is the most accurate description of what due process ensures for individuals.