What does the Due Process Clause ensure for individuals?

The Due Process Clause, found in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, ensures that individuals are afforded fundamental legal protections. It mandates that the government must respect all legal rights owed to a person, which includes the right to fair treatment through the normal judicial system. This means that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. The clause serves as a guarantee that basic rights are upheld, such as the right to a fair trial and the right to be heard in a court of law.

While the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and protection against double jeopardy are also important constitutional rights, they are specifically addressed in other amendments and not directly under the ambit of the Due Process Clause. Hence, the choice that encapsulates the essence of the Due Process Clause in relation to individual rights is the one that highlights its role in protecting their basic rights.