Equal Protection and Due Process

Constitutional protection against unfair government actions and laws

The 5th Amendment says that "no person... shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of the law" at the NATIONAL level.

The 14th Amendment extended due process protections against bad STATE and LOCAL laws

If someone feels like one of their fundamental rights is being deprived, they can take that person or group to COURT!

Due Process provides Americans the opportunity to...

be notified

hold a hearing

the right to an impartial (unbiased) decision-maker -- judge and/or jury