Case Citation
Legal Case Name

CRAIG v. BOREN Case Brief

Supreme Court of United States1976
429 U.S. 190 97 S.Ct. 451 50 L.Ed.2d 397 Constitutional Law Federal Courts

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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
3 min read

tl;dr: An Oklahoma law permitting women to buy 3.2% beer at age 18 but men only at 21 was challenged. The Supreme Court struck down the law, establishing “intermediate scrutiny” for gender-based classifications under the Equal Protection Clause.

Legal Significance: This landmark case established “intermediate scrutiny” as the standard of review for gender-based classifications, requiring such laws to be substantially related to an important government objective. It solidified a middle tier of Equal Protection analysis.

CRAIG v. BOREN Law School Study Guide

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Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

An Oklahoma statute prohibited the sale of “nonintoxicating” 3.2% beer to males under the age of 21, while permitting females to purchase the same beverage at age 18. A male between the ages of 18 and 21, Curtis Craig, and a licensed beer vendor, Carolyn Whitener, brought suit, claiming the statute constituted invidious gender discrimination in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. Oklahoma defended the statute as a traffic safety measure, presenting statistical evidence showing that males in the 18-20 age group were arrested for drunk driving and involved in alcohol-related traffic incidents at a significantly higher rate than females in the same age group. After Craig’s claim became moot upon his 21st birthday, the case proceeded with Whitener as the sole appellant, asserting the constitutional rights of her prospective male customers.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: Does a state statute that establishes a gender-based age differential for the sale of 3.2% beer violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

Yes. The Oklahoma statute constitutes invidious gender-based discrimination that denies equal protection Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequa

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IRAC Legal Analysis

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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.

Legal Issue

Does a state statute that establishes a gender-based age differential for the sale of 3.2% beer violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

Conclusion

This case is a cornerstone of equal protection jurisprudence, creating the intermediate Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magn

Legal Rule

To withstand constitutional challenge under the Equal Protection Clause, classifications by gender Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostru

Legal Analysis

The Court formally established and applied a new standard of review for Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • Holding: An Oklahoma law setting different drinking ages for men and
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui offi

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