Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause

Definition

The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause states that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction equal protection under the law. It prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, or other protected characteristics.

Related terms

Discrimination: Discrimination refers to treating individuals unfairly based on factors such as race, gender, age, religion, etc., rather than evaluating them solely on merit.

Strict Scrutiny: Strict scrutiny is a standard used by courts to determine if laws infringing on constitutional rights are permissible. The law must serve a compelling government interest and be narrowly tailored.

Civil Rights: Civil rights are the basic rights and privileges that individuals possess as citizens, including the right to vote, freedom of speech, and protection against discrimination.