Final answer:
The concept that individuals accused of crimes must be charged within a reasonable period is known as habeas corpus, which assures the right to be charged with a crime if arrested and to have a speedy trial, as part of the rights of the accused in the Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals accused of crimes must be charged within a reasonable period of time, and this concept is referred to as habeas corpus. Habeas corpus, as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, ensures the right of individuals to be charged with a crime if arrested and to have a speedy trial. It protects against unlawful and indefinite detention without charge or trial.
The concept of due process, also imperative in the legal system, requires that laws are applied fairly and equally to all citizens. It is vital when a citizen has been accused of a crime, ensuring that no one is deprived of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" as stated in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution. These rights of the accused are crucial for protecting individuals throughout the criminal justice process.