A middle level of constitutional review requiring that government action be substantially related to an important government interest. It typically applies to gender-based classifications and some First Amendment cases.
From Latin 'intermedius' (in the middle) combined with 'scrutinium' (examination). This constitutional standard emerged in the 1970s as courts developed a three-tiered framework, creating a middle ground between strict scrutiny and rational basis review.
Intermediate scrutiny was born from the women's rights movement when the Supreme Court realized gender discrimination deserved more protection than rational basis but less than race-based strict scrutiny! This 'Goldilocks' standard of review has been crucial in striking down laws that stereotype women while allowing some gender-conscious policies like single-sex bathrooms.
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