What legal concept denies the government the right to deprive people of life without a fair trial?

Due process of law is a fundamental legal principle that safeguards individuals from arbitrary denial of life, liberty, or property by the government. This concept is anchored in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which stipulate that no one shall be “deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Due process ensures that legal proceedings are conducted fairly, providing individuals with the right to a fair trial, the opportunity to present their case, and the ability to challenge evidence against them. This principle forms the foundation of a just legal system by requiring that the government respects all legal rights owed to a person, thus preventing abuses of power and ensuring that justice is administered equitably.

The other options, while important legal concepts, do not specifically relate to the right to a fair trial. Precedent refers to previously established legal decisions guiding future cases, substantive law pertains to the body of laws that govern over substantive rights and obligations, and procedural law involves the rules governing the process of litigation itself – including how a trial is conducted but not the fundamental rights guaranteed therein.