What does Substantive Due Process emphasize?

Substantive Due Process focuses on the actual content or substance of laws rather than merely the procedures used to enforce them. This legal principle aims to protect certain fundamental rights and ensure that laws do not infringe upon individual liberties without a sufficient justification. It emphasizes that the government must ensure that the laws it enacts are fair, just, and reasonable in their application, thereby safeguarding individuals from unjust laws that may affect their rights to life, liberty, and property.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of legal structures. The speed of legal proceedings pertains to the efficiency of the judicial system rather than the fairness of laws. Ensuring access to legal assistance is about providing individuals with resources to navigate legal matters, but it does not address whether the laws themselves are reasonable. Compliance with procedural requirements focuses on the methods used to apply and enforce laws, rather than the laws' inherent fairness or substance. Thus, A is the correct choice, as it captures the essence of what Substantive Due Process aims to protect.