Final answer:
Due process is a legal concept that prevents the government from depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures and just laws. It is enshrined in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the US Constitution and entails procedural and substantive aspects to protect individual rights in the legal system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Due process is a fundamental legal principle that ensures fair treatment under the law and is a cornerstone of the American legal system. The Constitution mandates that no individual shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, reflecting its dual presence in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The concept encapsulates both procedural and substantive protections, guarding against arbitrary denial of these rights by the government.
Procedural due process focuses on the fair and consistent application of legal procedures, while substantive due process deals with the fundamental fairness of laws as they affect an individual. Utilization of due process is integral to the rule of law, with accessible and impartial dispute resolution mechanisms in place to reflect and serve diverse communities.
By providing that neither state nor federal governments can treat individuals unequally without justifiable reasons, due process supports the idea of equal protection under the law, thereby underlining the democratic values of justice and equality.