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Simple English definitions for legal terms

intermediate scrutiny

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A quick definition of intermediate scrutiny:

Intermediate scrutiny is a way for courts to decide if a law is fair or not. It is used when a law affects certain groups of people in a negative way. To pass intermediate scrutiny, the law must be important for the government and must be related to that goal. It is not as strict as the highest level of scrutiny, but it is stricter than the lowest level. Intermediate scrutiny is used for laws that treat men and women differently, as well as some laws about free speech. It was created by the Supreme Court in 1976.

A more thorough explanation:

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.

  • Gender Discrimination: In Craig v. Boren, the Supreme Court applied intermediate scrutiny to a statute that discriminated on the basis of gender. Since then, any law that discriminates based on gender must undergo the intermediate scrutiny test.
  • Illegitimacy: According to Matthews v. Lucas and Trimble v. Gordon, laws that discriminate based on illegitimacy are also subject to intermediate scrutiny.
  • First Amendment: Intermediate scrutiny is also used for certain First Amendment issues, such as regulating mass media, adult entertainment, and highway signs. For example, in US West, Inc. v. United States, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals used intermediate scrutiny for a federal statute that prohibited telephone companies from providing video programming to subscribers.

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.

interlocutory order | intermittent leave

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RebelMelodicLion
16:04
chat do we believe the lsa rumors that vandy will barely be admitting off the WL
CopticStrong
16:19
Yes and no
CopticStrong
16:20
They have a really small class size so
CopticStrong
16:20
In a waitlist heavy cycle they will hqve room i think
CopticStrong
16:20
chances of getting off the wl slim to none tho
16:23
ssense sale is here girls n gays
16:43
friday in the 4HL...you can really feel the pull of the weekend
Guys should i try and gaslight adcomms into accepting me :)
17:17
Don’t say this about vandy
17:17
I need hope
17:18
Like tbh what was the point of wl everyone like i dont get it
17:19
Yes @helllllwooooods
17:20
Im about to call vandy and ask about this i saw that on lsd
@CallHerDaddy: you only applied to two schools?
17:49
I got into Umiami
17:49
I dont want to go ther
17:58
i am the worst nu applicant bruh. i never did the initial interview and got the wl, and i never did the waitlist interview either lol
RebelMelodicLion
18:04
if someone does call vandy and asks pls lmk
@CallHerDaddy: give them a lap dance through the video interview, instant full ride
18:42
@Hellwoods2025: knew i loved you
@CallHerDaddy: <3
SuaveCrouton
22:38
Word on the street is vandy over admitted and so wont be drawing on much of the WL
22:41
Shhhhh @suave
22:41
We dont need that energy here
Any of y’all get hit with the back to back Cornell Rs
KnowledgeableRitzyWasp
22:49
had some pineapples and pistachios for a snack
KnowledgeableRitzyWasp
22:49
was really good
KnowledgeableRitzyWasp
22:49
just letting chat know
What materials are you all using to prepare for 1L? I've heard of Law Hub and Barbri. Do you recommend any?
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