This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

An Oklahoma statute prohibited the sale of beer to males under the age of 21 and females under the age of 18. Craig (P) claimed that this gender-based difference violated the fourteenth amendment by denying males 18-20 years old their equal protection rights. Boren (D), claimed that the law was a traffic safety measure and that the protection of public health and safety was an important function of state and local governments. D gave evidence showing that 18-20-year-old male arrests for driving under the influence and drunkenness were substantially higher than those for females of the same age. A three-judge court sustained the constitutionality of the statutory differential and dismissed the action, holding that the ordinance served the important governmental objective of public safety. P appealed.

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