What does 'due process' ensure in criminal investigations?

'Due process' is a fundamental legal principle that guarantees an individual fair treatment through the normal judicial system. This concept ensures that all legal proceedings are conducted fairly and that each person is given an opportunity to be heard and to present their case. In criminal investigations, this means that law enforcement and judicial authorities must follow established rules and procedures that protect individuals' rights.

Due process encompasses various rights, such as the right to a fair trial, the right to counsel, and the right to be informed of the charges against oneself. This principle is rooted in both state and federal law, most notably in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibit the government from unfairly depriving an individual of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal proceedings.

While other options address important concepts in criminal justice, they do not encapsulate the broader scope of 'due process' as effectively as the assurance of fair treatment through the judicial system. For example, prompt resolution pertains to the efficiency of the legal process rather than its fairness, and confidentiality relates to the privacy of information rather than the treatment individuals receive within that system. Lastly, protection against self-incrimination is one specific right within the larger context of due process, rather than