Legal Definitions - minimal scrutiny

Minimal scrutiny, also known as the rational-basis test, is a criterion used by courts to analyze a statute that does not involve a fundamental right or a suspect or quasi-suspect classification under the Due Process or Equal Protection Clause. Under this test, a court will uphold a law if it has a reasonable relationship to the attainment of a legitimate governmental objective.

For example, if a state passes a law requiring all drivers to wear seat belts while driving, the court will apply minimal scrutiny to determine if the law is constitutional. The court will ask if the law has a reasonable relationship to a legitimate governmental objective, such as promoting public safety. If the court finds that the law is rationally related to this objective, it will uphold the law.

Another example is a law that requires individuals to obtain a license before operating a business. The court will apply minimal scrutiny to determine if the law is constitutional. The court will ask if the law has a reasonable relationship to a legitimate governmental objective, such as protecting consumers from fraud. If the court finds that the law is rationally related to this objective, it will uphold the law.