•  
  •  
 

Authors

Abstract

The fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution allows unequal protection of the laws, provided such unequal treatment and discrimination bear some rational relationship to a conceivably legitimate state objective. This "rational relationship" test allows the states wide latitude and discretion in enacting legislation. However, where any state statute involves so-called "suspect classifications" or "fundamental interests," the statute will be subjected to a strict scrutiny test, under which the state must establish that there is not only a compelling state interest which justifies the law but also that the distinctions drawn in the statute are necessary to further such interests.

Share

COinS