What does procedural due process provide to defendants?

Procedural due process is a constitutional principle that ensures individuals are given fair treatment through the judicial system. The essence of procedural due process lies in providing individuals with specific rights before they can be deprived of life, liberty, or property.

The correct answer highlights that defendants are entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard before any punishment is imposed. This means that individuals must be informed of the charges or claims against them and allowed to present their side of the story. This principle ensures fairness in legal proceedings and helps to prevent arbitrary or unjust punishment. It emphasizes the importance of having a chance to defend oneself, which is a foundational aspect of justice in legal systems.

The other options, while they relate to different aspects of legal rights, do not explicitly encompass the requirements of procedural due process as framed in this context. Access to a jury trial and the right to plead guilty are separate legal provisions, and protection against self-incrimination pertains more to substantive due process rights rather than the procedural aspects of a fair hearing.