This is the highest level of scrutiny applied by courts when evaluating laws that interfere with fundamental constitutional rights. The law must serve a "compelling governmental interest," and be "narrowly tailored" to achieve that interest.
Think of strict scrutiny as a high-security checkpoint at an airport. Just like how every passenger (law) has to go through rigorous checks (scrutiny) for safety reasons (governmental interest), and only those who pass can board the plane, similarly, only laws that meet the stringent criteria can pass under strict scrutiny.
Fundamental Rights: These are basic rights considered essential by the nature of our democratic society, such as freedom of speech or religion.
Compelling Government Interest: A purpose important enough that it justifies infringement on personal liberties or rights.
Narrow Tailoring: A requirement that a law be written to specifically fulfill only its intended goals without unnecessarily infringing on individuals' rights.
What criteria must the government meet under the "strict scrutiny" standard when restricting fundamental constitutional rights?
Which case led to strict scrutiny being applied to Free Speech cases?
How does the Strict Scrutiny standard differ from Intermediate Scrutiny in judicial review of affirmative action policies?
Which Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of affirmative action but also established strict scrutiny as the standard for evaluating race-conscious policies?
In the context of affirmative action, what is the meaning of "strict scrutiny"?
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