What legal principle ensures fair treatment within the judicial system?

Due process is a fundamental legal principle that guarantees fair treatment within the judicial system. It is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which provide that no person shall be deprived of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." This principle ensures that individuals receive fair procedures and a fair trial before being penalized or deprived of their rights.

Due process encompasses both substantive and procedural aspects. Substantive due process relates to fundamental rights that cannot be infringed upon without a compelling justification, while procedural due process focuses on the methods and processes that the government must follow before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property. In essence, due process serves as a safeguard against arbitrary governmental actions and helps maintain the integrity of the legal system.

In contrast, probable cause refers to the standard required for law enforcement to conduct searches and obtain warrants; indictment is the formal charging of a person with a crime; and punitive relates to punishment, generally in the context of legal penalties. These concepts are important, but they do not specifically address the overarching principle of fair treatment within the judicial system in the same way that due process does.