Bill of Rights: Trial Amendments and the Rights of the Accused

The principles of human dignity and due process stand at the heart of American democracy, from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution and the Reconstruction Amendments. This Justice 101 session will explore how the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments shaped our nation’s understanding of fairness, liberty, and justice within the legal system. 

Through a discussion with leading constitutional scholars, David French (The New York Times) and Akhil Reed Amar (Yale University), we will examine the origins of due process protections, their role in balancing state power with individual rights, and their continued relevance in today’s debates about criminal justice reform. How have these amendments been interpreted over time? What do they mean for ensuring justice for all in modern America?