California
How Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah applies in California: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Constitutional Law.
California recognizes the principles established in Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye regarding the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment and California's own constitutional protections. The state courts employ a strict scrutiny standard when evaluating laws that infringe upon religious practices.
In California, any law that burdens the free exercise of religion must further a compelling governmental interest and must be the least restrictive means of achieving that interest.
The court held that the criminal prohibition against certain religious practices must be narrowly tailored to avoid infringing free exercise rights.
The court ruled that zoning ordinances that disproportionately affected religious groups violated the free exercise clause.
This case confirmed that the burden on religious exercise must be substantial for the law to be reviewed under strict scrutiny.
California's approach is generally aligned with the federal standard established by the Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye case, emphasizing both compelling interest and least restrictive means. However, California courts may provide broader protection under state law, escaping some limitations present in federal jurisprudence.
Expect questions regarding the application of the strict scrutiny test to religious freedom cases on the California bar exam, particularly under the state constitution's protections.