Which constitutional principle protects individuals from being held without trial?

The principle that protects individuals from being held without trial is due process. This principle is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution, which state that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. It guarantees that legal proceedings must be conducted fairly and that individuals have the right to a timely trial, which is critical in preventing unlawful detention.

Due process ensures that individuals cannot just be imprisoned without being afforded the opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law. This right is fundamental to the American legal system, ensuring that justice is served transparently and equitably.

The other options, while significant aspects of the U.S. government structure, do not specifically address the right to a fair trial or the protection against unlawful detention. Federalism refers to the distribution of power between the national and state governments; state rights pertain to the powers that the states hold; and separation of powers divides government responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. None of these principles directly relates to the protection from being held without trial.