Rational basis review

Definition

Rational basis review is a standard of judicial review used by courts to evaluate laws and government actions that are challenged as violating the Equal Protection Clause. Under this standard, a law is presumed constitutional as long as there is a legitimate government interest and the law is rationally related to that interest. This review is the lowest level of scrutiny applied by courts and often involves legislation that does not affect fundamental rights or involve suspect classifications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rational basis review is typically applied in cases involving economic regulation and social welfare legislation.
2. Under this standard, the burden of proof lies with the party challenging the law, meaning they must demonstrate that there is no conceivable legitimate purpose for the law.
3. Courts rarely strike down laws under rational basis review due to its lenient nature, making it difficult to prove unconstitutionality.
4. This review is often contrasted with strict scrutiny and intermediate scrutiny, which provide greater protection against discrimination.
5. Examples of laws frequently subjected to rational basis review include zoning ordinances, tax regulations, and licensing requirements.

Review Questions

• How does rational basis review differ from strict scrutiny in terms of legal standards and applications?
  • Rational basis review differs significantly from strict scrutiny in that it requires a much lower threshold for the government to justify a law. While strict scrutiny demands that a law serves a compelling governmental interest and is narrowly tailored, rational basis only requires that there be some legitimate government interest and that the law be rationally related to it. This means laws challenged under rational basis review are more likely to be upheld by courts compared to those under strict scrutiny.
• In what types of cases is rational basis review most commonly applied, and why does this impact the outcome of such cases?
  • Rational basis review is most commonly applied in cases related to economic regulations and social welfare legislation, as these areas typically do not involve fundamental rights or suspect classifications. Because this standard allows for a broad interpretation of government interests, it often leads to favorable outcomes for legislation. Courts tend to uphold these laws unless they are clearly without any reasonable justification, reflecting the deference given to legislative bodies.
• Evaluate how the application of rational basis review has shaped legal outcomes regarding gender equality in constitutional standards.
  • The application of rational basis review has had significant implications for legal outcomes related to gender equality. While this standard has often been criticized for providing insufficient protection against discrimination, it can result in upholding laws that may not adequately address gender disparities. For example, when gender-based classifications are subjected to rational basis review rather than intermediate scrutiny, it may lead to less rigorous examination of laws that reinforce traditional gender roles. This demonstrates how the choice of review standard can profoundly affect the advancement of gender equality under constitutional law.

Related terms

Strict scrutiny: A heightened standard of judicial review that requires the government to prove that a law serves a compelling interest and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest, typically applied in cases involving fundamental rights or suspect classifications.

Intermediate scrutiny: A standard of review that falls between rational basis and strict scrutiny, requiring the government to show that a law serves an important government interest and is substantially related to achieving that interest, often used in gender discrimination cases.

Equal Protection Clause: A provision of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that prohibits states from denying any person within its jurisdiction equal protection under the law, forming the basis for many equal protection claims.