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Suspect classification
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<p>In <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a> <a href="/facts/Constitutional_law/zygegD9G">constitutional law</a>, a suspect classification is a class or group of persons meeting a series of criteria suggesting they are likely the subject of discrimination. These classes receive closer scrutiny by courts when an <a href="/facts/Equal_Protection_Clause/JKGNpM5o">Equal Protection</a> claim alleging <a href="/facts/Constitutionality/kq7jxG6W">unconstitutional</a> discrimination is asserted against a law, regulation, or other government action, or sometimes private action. When a law or government action affects a group that falls under a "suspect classification," courts apply the <a href="/facts/Strict_scrutiny/JkP6XovU">strict scrutiny</a> standard in reviewing the constitutional validity of a law or action. </p>