What does due process ensure for individuals within the judicial system?

Due process is a fundamental principle in the legal system that ensures individuals receive fair and equal treatment. It serves as a safeguard against arbitrary denial of life, liberty, or property by the government, ensuring that all legal proceedings are conducted fairly and that individuals have the opportunity to present their case in a meaningful way. The concept of due process encompasses various legal protections that work together to maintain justice, including the right to be heard, the right to a fair trial, and the right to be informed of charges.

While the other options relate to important rights and protections within the judicial system, they do not encompass the broad principle of due process itself in the same way that fair and equal treatment does. The right to a public trial and legal representation are specific rights that help fulfill the requirements of due process, and the ability to appeal a decision is a procedural right that follows due process, but these are all subsets of the broader concept of ensuring fair treatment under the law.