A license cannot be revoked because a man is red-headed or…
“A license cannot be revoked because a man is red-headed or because he was divorced, except for a calling, if such there be, for which red-headedness or an unbroken marriage may have some rational bearing. If a State licensing agency lays bare its arbitrary action, or if the State law explicitly allows it to act arbitrarily, that is precisely the kind of State action which the Due Process Clause forbids.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legal principle that due process prohibits arbitrary licensing decisions based on irrelevant personal traits
In simple terms: Arbitrary state actions violating fairness are banned
Key Takeaway
Ensure licensing criteria are relevant and fair
Themes
law
due process
fairness
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
legal
judicial
When to use this quote
- government licensing
- civil rights
- policy reform
Key Concepts
constitutional law
administrative discretion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can agencies audit for hidden bias?
- What safeguards ensure fairness?
A Different Perspective
Law may still be influenced by hidden biases