due process of law

American  

[doo pros-es uhv law] / ˈdu ˈprɒs ɛs əv ˈlɔ /

noun

1. the regular administration of the law, according to which no individual may be denied their legal rights and all laws must conform to fundamental, accepted legal principles, such as the right of the accused to confront their accusers.

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due process of law British  

noun

1. the administration of justice in accordance with established rules and principles

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due process of law Cultural  

1. The principle that an individual cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards. The Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution guarantee that any person accused of a crime must be informed of the charges, be provided with legal counsel, be given a speedy and public trial, enjoy equal protection of the laws, and not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment, unreasonable searches and seizures, double jeopardy, or self-incrimination.

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Etymology

Origin of due process of law

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The US Marine Corps told us it is committed to fair and open proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, ensuring due process of law.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

He said these immigrants were given due process of law because they were convicted of crimes and were given a “final order of removal.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2025

Immigrants, it noted, are entitled “to due process of law in the context of removal proceedings,” a fact that the court unanimously affirmed in a related case six weeks ago.

From Slate • May 16, 2025

Thus a key Principle of our rule of law is that we must "respect, support, and defend the constitutional rights of all Americans" with fairness and due process of law.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2024

And did not Congress have the power "to render nugatory all State laws and proceedings under which free men were to be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law"?

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Miscellany by Ingersoll, Robert Green