suspect class
: a class of individuals marked by immutable characteristics (as of race or national origin) and entitled to equal protection of the law by means of judicial scrutiny of a classification that discriminates against or otherwise burdens or affects them [a classification that does not impact a
suspect class or impinge upon a fundamental constitutional right will be upheld if it is rationally related to a legitimate government interest "
Doe v. Poritz, 622 A.2d 367 (1995)"] called also
protected class see also
suspect classification NOTE: Suspect class and
suspect classification are often used synonymously in regard to a group of persons, but
suspect class does not refer to the process of classifying itself.