Nklenske Protection the First Thing Term Paper

Total Length: 719 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 4

Page 1 of 2

My overall advice to Mr. Smith would be that he has a weak case, at best.

Question Two:

To evaluate whether Susie has a valid equal protection claim, one must start by determining whether the city ordinance is a state action. As a city is a branch of the state, the smoking ordinance would be considered a state action. The next step is to determine whether she belongs to a suspect class or whether a fundamental right is being violated. Although being a woman places her in a quasi-suspect class, this ordinance does not involve a distinction between the genders. Instead the issue is between smokers and non-smokers and as such, there is no suspect class involved. Furthermore, there is no fundamental right involved as neither the right to smoke or to open a business is considered a fundamental right. (Chemerinsky, 2002; p. 157).

Under these facts, the court will evaluate Susie's claim using a rational basis test. According to this test, the court will determine whether the ordinance is rationally related to a legitimate government purpose.

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The burden will be on Susie to show that the ordinance is not rationally related to any legitimate government purpose. (Barron, 2005; p. 20).

Although promoting and ensuring the health and well-being of its citizens is a legitimate government purpose, Susie could make an argument that the ordinance, as written, is not rationally related to this purpose. If the purpose is to protect non-smokers from second hand smoke, then not allowing Susie to open a cigar bar that would cater to only people interested in smoking and would maintain the smoke inside her bar, in no way would effect non-smokers. For this reason, Susie could make a reasonable argument that the ordinance, as applied to her situation, is not rationally related to a legitimate government purpose and thus violates the protections granted by the equal protection clause......

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"Nklenske Protection The First Thing" (2006, December 07) Retrieved June 17, 2024, from
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"Nklenske Protection The First Thing" 07 December 2006. Web.17 June. 2024. <
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Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

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"Nklenske Protection The First Thing", 07 December 2006, Accessed.17 June. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/nklenske-protection-first-thing-41174