compelling state interest test
compelling-state-interest test. Constitutional law. A method for determining the constitutional validity of a law, whereby the government’s interest in the law and its purpose is balanced against an individual’s constitutional right that is affected by the law. • Only if the government’s interest is strong enough will the law be upheld. The compelling-state-interest test is used, e.g., in equal-protection analysis when the disputed law requires strict scrutiny. See STRICT SCRUTINY. [Cases: Constitutional Law 213.1(2). C.J.S. Constitutional Law §§ 714, 716, 718.]
