Multifaceted concept

Liberty in the U.S. Constitution protects a spectrum of individual rights and freedoms essential to personal autonomy

Inclusion of various rights

Rights beyond physical restraint

The U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted liberty to include the rights to make personal choices in areas such as education, employment, marriage, family, and religious practice

Subject to reasonable restrictions

These liberties are subject to reasonable governmental restrictions that serve legitimate public interests

Balancing with governmental authority

The protection of individual liberties is balanced against the need for government regulation in the public interest

Principle of due process

Due process ensures that any government action that restricts individual liberty must be fair, serving a legitimate public purpose, and follow an appropriate legal procedure

Substantive due process

Substantive due process has been used by the Supreme Court to protect rights not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution

Procedural due process

Procedural due process requires fair procedures before depriving a person of life, liberty, or property

Extending the Bill of Rights to the states

Through the doctrine of incorporation, the protections of the Bill of Rights have been extended to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause

Reach of the Equal Protection Clause

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that all individuals be treated equally under the law without discrimination based on race, color, or national origin

Application of the Equal Protection Clause

The Equal Protection Clause applies to all persons within a state's jurisdiction, including non-citizens and legal residents, and has been used to prevent unjust discrimination and ensure legal equality for all individuals