Which clause of the 14th Amendment protects individuals from state deprivation of life, liberty, or property?

The Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment is fundamental in protecting individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. This clause ensures that states must respect all legal rights owed to a person and cannot take away fundamental rights arbitrarily. The core idea is that the government must follow fair procedures before it can deprive an individual of these essential rights.

This clause has two main components: procedural due process, which focuses on the fairness of the methods used to enforce laws, and substantive due process, which protects certain fundamental rights from government interference. The protection against the arbitrary deprivation of rights is central to the legal principles embodied in the due process protections enshrined in the Constitution.

In contrast, while the Equal Protection Clause aims to prevent discrimination and guarantee that individuals receive equal treatment under the law, it does not specifically address the procedures or rights associated with life, liberty, or property deprivation. The Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause, which safeguard religious freedoms, are unrelated to the protection of life, liberty, or property.