CRAIG v. BOREN Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: An Oklahoma law permitting women to buy 3.2% beer at age 18 but men only at 21 was challenged. The Supreme Court struck down the law, establishing “intermediate scrutiny” for gender-based classifications under the Equal Protection Clause.
Legal Significance: This landmark case established “intermediate scrutiny” as the standard of review for gender-based classifications, requiring such laws to be substantially related to an important government objective. It solidified a middle tier of Equal Protection analysis.
Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
An Oklahoma statute prohibited the sale of “nonintoxicating” 3.2% beer to males under the age of 21, while permitting females to purchase the same beverage at age 18. A male between the ages of 18 and 21, Curtis Craig, and a licensed beer vendor, Carolyn Whitener, brought suit, claiming the statute constituted invidious gender discrimination in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. Oklahoma defended the statute as a traffic safety measure, presenting statistical evidence showing that males in the 18-20 age group were arrested for drunk driving and involved in alcohol-related traffic incidents at a significantly higher rate than females in the same age group. After Craig’s claim became moot upon his 21st birthday, the case proceeded with Whitener as the sole appellant, asserting the constitutional rights of her prospective male customers.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does a state statute that establishes a gender-based age differential for the sale of 3.2% beer violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?
Yes. The Oklahoma statute constitutes invidious gender-based discrimination that denies equal protection Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequa
IRAC Legal Analysis
About IRAC analysis
IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the structure professors expect in exam answers. Each LSD.Law brief states the issue, the governing rule with citations, the court's application of that rule, and the conclusion - the same reasoning pattern you will use on exams and in practice.
Legal Issue
Does a state statute that establishes a gender-based age differential for the sale of 3.2% beer violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?
Conclusion
This case is a cornerstone of equal protection jurisprudence, creating the intermediate Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magn
Legal Rule
To withstand constitutional challenge under the Equal Protection Clause, classifications by gender Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostru
Legal Analysis
The Court formally established and applied a new standard of review for Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- Holding: An Oklahoma law setting different drinking ages for men and