Due Process

The due process clause of the Fourteenth amendment holds that there is a fundamental, constitutional guarantee that all legal proceedings will be fair and that one will be given notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard before the government acts to take away one's life, liberty, or property. There also is a constitutional guarantee that a law shall not be unreasonable, arbitrary, or changeable. For instance, the government cannot imprison someone or take away their children without allowing the person to challenge the government's actions.