Legal Definitions - liberty interest

Definition: A liberty interest is a right that is granted to an individual by the Due Process Clauses of the state and federal constitutions.

Example: One example of a liberty interest is the right to marry. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects an individual's right to marry without interference from the government.

Explanation: The example illustrates the definition because it shows how the Due Process Clause protects an individual's liberty interest in the right to marry. This means that the government cannot interfere with an individual's decision to marry, as long as they are of legal age and meet other requirements.

Example: Another example of a liberty interest is the right to privacy. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects an individual's right to privacy, which includes the right to make personal decisions about one's own body and medical treatment.

Explanation: This example shows how the Due Process Clause protects an individual's liberty interest in the right to privacy. This means that the government cannot interfere with an individual's personal decisions about their own body and medical treatment, as long as they are not breaking any laws.