What does the due process clause in the Fifth Amendment ensure?

The due process clause in the Fifth Amendment ensures fair treatment through the normal judicial system, which includes the protection of legal rights and fair procedures. This clause mandates that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without the due process of law, meaning that legal proceedings must be conducted fairly and in accordance with established rules and principles. This encompasses the right to be heard, the right to a fair trial, and various protections against arbitrary governmental actions, ensuring that individuals have the opportunity to defend themselves and that justice is administered impartially.

The other options refer to specific rights that are not encompassed by the due process clause. The right to a speedy trial relates to the Sixth Amendment, the right to bear arms is addressed in the Second Amendment, and the protection from self-incrimination is a specific right granted by the Fifth Amendment but does not represent the broader principle of due process itself.