Which constitutional protection is designed to prohibit the government from depriving individuals of their rights unfairly?

The constitutional protection that is designed to prohibit the government from depriving individuals of their rights unfairly is substantive due process. This principle is rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and asserts that certain rights are fundamental and cannot be infringed upon by the government without a compelling justification.

Substantive due process focuses on the essence of the rights themselves, ensuring that laws that infringe on fundamental rights must not only serve a legitimate government interest but also be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. Essentially, this concept protects rights related to personal freedom and privacy, such as the right to marry, the right to raise children, and the right to privacy in matters like contraception and abortion.

In contrast, procedural due process refers to the fairness of the processes used to enforce laws, ensuring that individuals receive fair treatment within the legal system, such as the right to a fair trial. Equal protection under the law emphasizes that individuals in similar circumstances must be treated equally by the law. The right to counsel protects an individual's ability to have legal representation in criminal cases. These distinctions are crucial for understanding the different dimensions of due process and civil rights within the U.S. legal framework.