Due process states that our government must follow a certain procedure, for example when charging someone for a crime. This in this case includes reading the Miranda rights, letting you have an attorney, etc. Without due process, the government could mistreat citizens and throw you in jail without any restrictions.
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Procedural due process means that the government must follow the rules by which it has agreed to treat accused individuals. Procedural due process protects the fundamental rights given to individuals accused of a crime(Amendments 4th,5th,6th,8th). These amendments are known as the Rights of the Accused Amendments.
Due process includes the following: Arrest must be based on probable cause or on a warrant issued by a judge, and making sure the suspect is informed of their 5th and 6th amendment rights. In short, Procedural due process protects the rights of the accused by requiring the government to follow steps it has agreed to follow when charging an accused individual of a crime.
Substantive due process means that the laws themselves are fair and constitutional. In Furman v. Georgia, the Supreme Court ruled that the application of the Death Penalty statue was arbitrary. The ruling required states to place guidelines when addressing murder cases.
The U.S. Constitution, Amendment V, states,
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Amendment VI states,
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense."
Amendment VII states,
"In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."
Amendment VIII states,
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
When judges or other government officials are free to make up their own rules and decree any punishment for any person for any reason, this has never worked out well in terms of justice or fairness. It turns out that judges are imperfect human beings who may act vindictively, or foolishly, or may jump to conclusions, or may just not like people from some particular ethnic group, or religion, etc., and innocent people will suffer. Due process is designed to create conditions that will allow innocent people to escape punishment, and which generally restrain the impulse toward the exercise of arbitrary authority.
The due process does protect those accused of crime because it gives them a chance to defend themselves and allow themselves to gain what they believe is justice.
Due process protects the rights of people accused of crimes by making sure that they have the right to an attorney as well as the right to a fair trial.
Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
The US Constitution provides for a process of submitting a direct vote of the citizens for a approval or rejection. This process is called a referendum.
local, state, and federal
it influences policy by making citizens wishes clear it makes the political process more democratic by having citizens voice their concerns
The US Supreme Court has used the Fourteenth Amendment, under the Due Process Clause and Equal Protect Clause, to selectively incorporate the Bill of Rights to the states.For more information on selective incorporation, see Related Questions, below.