Also known as: rationally derive · rational derivation · rational basis · rationally related
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A standard of review under which government action is upheld if it bears a reasonable relationship to a legitimate public purpose.
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Maya sat outside the CFO's office and observed his facial expressions during hurried calls. She testified that the CFO looked panicked. The court admitted the testimony because the inference was rationally derived from the expressions and calls she personally perceived.
Rosalind Reed watched workers enter and exit a building daily for months. She testified that the building appeared to be used for commercial redevelopment. The court found the opinion rationally derived from her repeated observations of the activity.
Ravi Reddy observed his neighbors' daily routines over several years. He testified that the couple appeared to maintain a private marital relationship. The court admitted the opinion because it was rationally derived from the patterns he personally witnessed.
Rita Russell stood in the school hallway and saw students refuse to salute the flag. She testified that the students appeared to be exercising a personal choice. The court ruled the opinion rationally derived from her direct observation of their actions.
Raphael Rivera examined multiple samples of a dairy product in a plant. He testified that the product appeared to be filled milk rather than pure cream. The court held the opinion rationally derived from the visual and physical characteristics he observed.
Rina Rahman observed a physician's interactions with patients over several appointments. She testified that the physician appeared to be providing standard medical care. The court admitted the opinion because it was rationally derived from the conduct she personally saw.
The opinion must be a reasonable inference drawn directly from what the witness saw, heard, or otherwise sensed. Speculation about unperceived mental states or facts fails the standard.
Supporting sources
Personal knowledge requires the witness to have perceived the underlying event. The rationally derived requirement additionally demands that any opinion drawn from those perceptions stay within the bounds of reasonable inference rather than conjecture.
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No. Attributing specific knowledge or intent to another person crosses into speculation that is not rationally derived from observable behavior alone.
Supporting sources
…interest which is compelling," Bates v. Little Rock , 361 U. S. 516, 524. The law must be shown "necessary, and not merely rationally related, to the accomplishment of a permissible state policy." McLaughlin v. Florida , 379 U. S. 184, 196. See Schneider v. Irvington , 308 U. S. 147, 161. Although the Connecticut birth-control…