Strict scrutiny is a legal standard used by courts to evaluate laws or government actions that may infringe on fundamental rights or involve suspect classifications, such as race or religion. Under this standard, the government must demonstrate that the law serves a compelling state interest and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest without being overly broad. This heightened level of review is the most rigorous form of judicial scrutiny. If a law fails to meet these criteria, it is likely to be deemed unconstitutional. Strict scrutiny is often applied in cases involving the First Amendment or Fourteenth Amendment rights in the United States.