I’ve been working on a section titled “Due Process of Law” for one of the chapters in the journalism textbook I’m writing.
In this section, I discuss ways in which a journalist can mistakenly interfere with one of the most precious rights, the right to an absolutely fair trial.
There’s only one term that’s stated twice in our U.S. Constitution. The Fifth Amendment says to the federal government that no one shall be “deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” Another amendment, ratified in 1868, uses the same words.
My definition of due process of law: the right to fairness in all legal matters especially in the court system. I like how Law.com has it: “All legal procedures set by statute and court practice, including notice of rights, must be followed for each individual so that no prejudicial or unequal treatment will result.”
For this week’s Vaughan’s Vocabulary I’ve created a category of “answers” Jeopardy-style which all relate to DPOL. Formulate the appropriate question for each one.
1. These two amendments from the U.S Constitution contain the words “due process of law.”
2. The U.S. Supreme Court Justice who wrote, “the Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause is not a secret repository of substantive guarantees against unfairness.”
3. Which amendment has the Due Process Clause, which describes all states’ legal obligation?
4. The words “due process” suggest a concern with this rather than substance.
5. Procedural is one type of due process of law; this is the other type.
Questions: 1. What are the Fifth and Fifteenth Amendments? 2. Who is Clarence Thomas? 3. What is the Fourteenth? 4. What is procedure? 5. What is substantive process of law?
Editor’s Note: Dr. Don Rodney Vaughan is the pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church near Eupora and is on the faculty of East Mississippi Community College, Golden Triangle Campus. Contact him at dvaughan@eastms.edu.
