due process
Due process is the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person. It ensures that laws are applied fairly and that every person has a chance to tell their side of the story before a decision is made.
Examples
3 of 5The school gave the student due process before deciding on a punishment.
The school gave the student due process before deciding on a punishment.
The judge ruled that the defendant was denied due process during the trial.
The judge ruled that the defendant was denied due process during the trial.
It doesn't feel like due process if they don't even listen to me.
It doesn't feel like due process if they don't even listen to me.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Due' as 'Owed'. Due process is the process that is 'owed' to you by the law to keep things fair.
Quick Quiz
The lawyer argued that his client did not receive ___ because he was never told why he was arrested.
Correct!
The correct answer is: due process
Examples
The school gave the student due process before deciding on a punishment.
everydayThe school gave the student due process before deciding on a punishment.
The judge ruled that the defendant was denied due process during the trial.
formalThe judge ruled that the defendant was denied due process during the trial.
It doesn't feel like due process if they don't even listen to me.
informalIt doesn't feel like due process if they don't even listen to me.
The 14th Amendment guarantees due process to all citizens regardless of their status.
academicThe 14th Amendment guarantees due process to all citizens regardless of their status.
Our company policy ensures due process for any employee facing termination.
businessOur company policy ensures due process for any employee facing termination.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
due process of law
due process of law
right to due process
right to due process
lack of due process
lack of due process
Often Confused With
Procedure is just any set of steps, while due process specifically refers to legal fairness and protecting rights.
Usage Notes
This term is almost always used in a legal or official context. It refers to the 'way' a legal matter is handled rather than just the final result.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the word 'due' and just say 'process', but 'due' is essential because it implies that the process is 'owed' to the person by right.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Due' as 'Owed'. Due process is the process that is 'owed' to you by the law to keep things fair.
Word Origin
Derived from the phrase 'due process of law' which first appeared in English statutes in the 14th century, stemming from the Magna Carta's principles.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the United States, due process is a constitutional right mentioned in both the 5th and 14th Amendments.
Quick Quiz
The lawyer argued that his client did not receive ___ because he was never told why he was arrested.
Correct!
The correct answer is: due process
Related Vocabulary
More law words
prosecutor
A1A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to show a court that someone has committed a crime.
defendant
A1A defendant is a person or organization that is being accused of a crime or is being sued in a court of law. This person is required to answer the legal charges brought against them by another party.
plaintiff
A1A person or group who brings a legal case against another in a court of law. They are the ones starting the lawsuit because they believe they have been wronged.
jury
A1A group of ordinary people chosen to listen to the facts of a trial in a court of law. They listen to the evidence and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.
lawsuit
A1A lawsuit is a legal case where one person or group brings a disagreement to a court of law for a judge to decide. It usually happens when someone wants money or a specific action from another person because of a problem or injury.
proof
A1Proof is a fact or a piece of information that shows something is true. In a legal context, it is what a person uses to convince a judge or jury that a crime happened.
misdemeanor
A1A misdemeanor is a minor crime that is less serious than a felony. It is usually punished by a fine or a short period of time in a local jail rather than a state prison.
sentence
A1A sentence is a punishment given by a judge to someone who has been found guilty of a crime. It explains how much time a person must spend in prison or how much money they must pay as a fine.
bail
A1Bail is a sum of money paid to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can stay out of jail until their trial starts. If the person shows up for their court date, the money is usually returned.
fraud
A1Fraud is the illegal act of tricking someone to get their money or property. It is a crime where a person lies or hides the truth to gain an unfair advantage.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free