INTERMEDIATE SCRUTINY

intermediate scrutiny.Constitutional law. A standard lying between the extremes of rational-basis review and strict scrutiny. • Under the standard, if a statute contains a quasi-suspect classification (such as gender or legitimacy), the classification must be substantially related to the achievement of an important governmental objective. — Also termed middle-level scrutiny; mid-level scrutiny; heightened scrutiny. Cf. STRICT SCRUTINY; RATIONAL-BASIS TEST. [Cases: Constitutional Law 213.1. C.J.S. Constitutional Law § 714.]

[Blacks Law 8th]