equal protection

noun

: a guarantee under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that a state must treat an individual or class of individuals the same as it treats other individuals or classes in like circumstances

Examples of equal protection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

West Flagler may decide to sue again over the issue of equal protection rather than the issue of where the betting takes place. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2024

However, barring Trump from just a few individual states’ ballots raised an equal protection issue. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2024

The core conflict is whether the equal protection clause protects equality or equity. —Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2022

Changing that would mean insisting that all who live under Israel’s power enjoy civil and political rights and equal protection under the same laws. —Robert Satloff, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

equal protection

noun

: a guarantee under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that a state must treat an individual or class of individuals the same as it treats other individuals or classes in like circumstances

called also equal protection of the law

see also rational basis test, strict scrutiny, suspect classification

Note: The equal protection requirement of the Constitution protects against legislation that affects individuals differently without a rational basis for doing so. In reviewing claims of denial of equal protection, a court will uphold legislation that has a rational basis unless the legislation affects a fundamental right or involves a suspect classification, such as race. In such a case, the court will use a strict scrutiny standard of review and will strike down legislation that does not show a compelling need for discriminating.