Due process is a legal principle that ensures fair treatment through the judicial system. It guarantees that individuals have the right to be heard and to defend themselves before any legal action is taken against them. This principle is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without proper legal procedures. There are two main types of due process: procedural and substantive. Procedural due process focuses on the methods and procedures used in legal proceedings, ensuring they are fair and transparent. Substantive due process, on the other hand, protects certain fundamental rights from government interference, ensuring that laws themselves are fair and just.