Under intermediate scrutiny, what must the government show to uphold a classification?

Under intermediate scrutiny, what must the government show to uphold a classification?

• A. Substantial relation to an important objective
• B. A compelling interest
• C. A rational relation to a legitimate interest
• D. A reasonable relation to a permissible goal

Answer: (A)

Under intermediate scrutiny, the government must show that the classification is substantially related to an important objective. This standard sits between rational basis and strict scrutiny: the objective must be important, and the means used by the classification must be substantially related to achieving that objective. It requires a close fit between the classification and its goal, but not the rigid necessity required by strict scrutiny. The other phrasing reflects different standards (strict scrutiny calls for a compelling government interest, rational basis uses a rational relation to a legitimate interest), so the best description for intermediate scrutiny is the substantial relation to an important objective.

Under intermediate scrutiny, the government must show that the classification is substantially related to an important objective. This standard sits between rational basis and strict scrutiny: the objective must be important, and the means used by the classification must be substantially related to achieving that objective. It requires a close fit between the classification and its goal, but not the rigid necessity required by strict scrutiny. The other phrasing reflects different standards (strict scrutiny calls for a compelling government interest, rational basis uses a rational relation to a legitimate interest), so the best description for intermediate scrutiny is the substantial relation to an important objective.