Final answer:
The due process clause acts as a safeguard against arbitrary denial of life, liberty, or property by the government outside the sanction of law.
It ensures fair treatment within the legal system and grants individuals access to procedural justice and the right to be treated fairly and impartially by government officials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The due process clause, or fair treatment within the legal system, is mentioned because it acts as a safeguard against arbitrary denial of life, liberty, or property by the government outside the sanction of law. It requires that individuals be given access to procedural justice, such as the right to a trial, as well as the right to be treated fairly and impartially by government officials.
For example, the due process clause has been interpreted to imply certain fundamental liberties that cannot be denied by the states. In the case of Sherbert v. Verner, the Supreme Court ruled that a state could not deny unemployment benefits to someone who turned down a job due to religious reasons.
Overall, the due process clause ensures that individuals have the opportunity to present their side of the story and have their legal rights protected before losing their life, liberty, or property.