rational basis test
rational-basis test. Constitutional law. The criterion for judicial analysis of a statute that does not implicate a fundamental right or a suspect or quasi-suspect classification under the Due Process or Equal Protection Clause, whereby the court will uphold a law if it bears a reasonable relationship to the attainment of a legitimate governmental objective. • Rational basis is the most deferential of the standards of review that courts use in due-process and equal-protection analysis. — Also termed rational-purpose test; rational-relationship test; minimum scrutiny; minimal scrutiny. Cf. STRICT SCRUTINY ; INTERMEDIATE SCRUTINY. [Cases: Constitutional Law 213.1(2). C.J.S. Constitutional Law §§ 714, 716, 718.]
