Quasi-Suspect Class LEG: which is a quasi-suspect class?

• A. Legitimacy
• B. Education of illegal alien children
• C. Gender
• D. National Origin

Answer: (C)

Quasi-suspect classes get heightened scrutiny, but not the strict level used for race or national origin. The best example is gender. When a law discriminates on the basis of sex, courts apply intermediate scrutiny: the regulation must be substantially related to an important government objective, and the justification needs to be more than merely plausible—it must show a substantial link to achieving that objective. In significant gender cases, courts have demanded an especially persuasive justification, reflecting the careful attention given to sex-based distinctions. The other options don’t fit this category: national origin is treated as a suspect class requiring strict scrutiny; education of illegal alien children involves immigration status and education rights rather than a recognized quasi-suspect class; legitimacy classifications have historically received weaker protection and aren’t the classic example of a quasi-suspect group.