Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Intermediate scrutiny is a legal test used by courts to determine if a law is constitutional. It is used when a law negatively affects certain protected classes, such as gender or illegitimacy. To pass intermediate scrutiny, the law must further an important government interest and must do so by means that are substantially related to that interest. This test is less rigorous than strict scrutiny but more rigorous than the rational basis test.
These examples illustrate how intermediate scrutiny is used to determine if a law is constitutional when it negatively affects certain protected classes or infringes on First Amendment rights. The law must further an important government interest and must do so by means that are substantially related to that interest. This ensures that laws are not discriminatory or overly restrictive of individual rights.