Equal protection

Question 1

When does equal protection apply

Answer 1

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides that “no state shall . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This clause applies only to states and localities. Laws classifying on the basis of age are reviewed under the rational basis standard. A law passes the rational basis standard of review if it is rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest, a test of minimal scrutiny. It is not required that there is actually a link between the means selected and a legitimate objective. However, the legislature must reasonably believe there is a link. Laws are presumed valid under this standard.