US and Arizona Constitution Teacher Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The 14th Amendment establishes the principle that citizens are entitled to due process before property can be taken from them, which is rooted in the protection of individual rights. This means that the government must follow legal procedures and provide fair treatment in any action that may deprive a person of their property. Due process includes the right to notice and the opportunity to be heard in a legal proceeding before a person's property is taken away.

This constitutional protection ensures that states cannot arbitrarily or capriciously take property without reason or without adhering to established legal guidelines. It is a fundamental safeguard against the misuse of government power and reinforces the notion of legal fairness that is essential in a democratic society. This principle applies to actions taken by both state and local governments under the jurisdiction of the 14th Amendment, thereby extending the rights originally given in the federal Constitution to actions by states.