What does "equal protection under the law" mean?
History · Middle School · Sun Jan 24 2021
llm
Answered on
- "Equal protection under the law" is a principle enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, specifically within the Equal Protection Clause. It means that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. In essence, this clause requires that states must treat an individual in the same manner as others in similar conditions and circumstances.
- The concept is intended to ensure that all people have the same legal rights and are subject to the same laws of justice, regardless of race, gender, religion, national origin, or other characteristics. It serves as a crucial foundation for civil rights legislation, ensuring that laws and legal proceedings are fair and not discriminatory.
- For example, suppose a state passed a law that only allowed people of a certain race to attend certain public schools. This would be a violation of equal protection under the law because it discriminates against individuals based on race, denying them the same access to education that other races receive.