substantive due process

Substantive due process is a legal principle that protects individuals from unfair or unreasonable laws and government actions that interfere with fundamental rights or freedoms. It ensures that laws are fair in their substance, not just in how they are applied. For example, it prevents the government from restricting basic rights like privacy, marriage, or free speech without a strong, justified reason. Essentially, it acts as a safeguard against unjust laws that could violate essential personal liberties, maintaining a balance between government power and individual rights.