RATIONAL-BASIS TEST

rational-basis test.Constitutional law. The criterion for judicial analysis of a statute that does

not implicate a fundamental right or a suspect or quasi-suspect classification under the Due

Process or Equal Protection Clause, whereby the court will uphold a law if it bears a reasonable

relationship to the attainment of a legitimate governmental objective. • Rational basis is the most

deferential of the standards of review that courts use in due-process and equal-protection analysis.

— Also termed rational-purpose test; rational-relationship test; minimum scrutiny; minimal

scrutiny. Cf. STRICT SCRUTINY ; INTERMEDIATE SCRUTINY. [Cases: Constitutional Law

213.1(2). C.J.S. Constitutional Law §§ 714, 716, 718.] [Blacks Law 8^th]