Civil Rights/Liberties

What was the Engel v. Vitale case about

A voluntary prayer was offered in school each day and a group or organizations challenged the constitutionality of a public school doing that.

Engel v. Vitale decision

SCOTUS ruled that the state cannot rule prayers in public schools.

Reasoning for SCOTUS decision on Engel v. Vitale

The prayer at a public school violated the Establishment clause the states Congress can’t make a law that establishes religion so students can pray all they want but it just can’t be led by public school.

What was Wisconsin v. Yoder about

Group of Amish refused to send their kids to school after 8th grade because it contrary to their religious beliefs and Wisconsin prosecuted the family because kids are required to go to school until they’re 16.

Wisconsin v. Yoder decision

SCOTUS ruled that the state cannot compel the parents to send their kids to school past 8th grade if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Wisconsin v. Yoder decision reasoning

Court said that is violated free exercise clause and that parents/students could not be compelled to violate their religious beliefs by the state.

What was Tinker v. Des Moines about

Students wore armbands to protest U.S involvement in Vietnam war and were suspended because they violated a school policy that restricted armbands from being worn.

Tinker v. Des Moines decision

SCOTUS ruled that the prohibition of the arm band was unconstitutional because it violated the rights to free speech.

Tinker v. Des Moines decision reasoning

Court said the symbolic speech was protected under the first amendment and when a student enters school their rights still stand.

Schenck v. U.S facts

Schenck sent out pamphlets to urge the public to resist draft during WWI and was arrested for violating espionage act.

Schenck v. U.S decision

SCOTUS ruled the espionage act was not unconstitutional and Schenck’s freedom of speech could be limited during war time.

Schenck v. U.S decision reasoning

Court created “clear and present danger test” to determine if speech endangers national safety then it is not protected by the constitution.

NY Times v. U.S facts

NYT intended to publish pentagon papers that showed leaders of the U.S government saying they didn’t believe they would win the war in Vietnam so the government filed an injuction agianst the paper from being plublished.

NYT v. U.S decision

SCOTUS ruled that the government was violating NYT freedom of the press and they could publish the papers.

NYT v. U.S decision reasoning

Court claimed that the government can’t use prior restraints to protect themselves and that the papers could be publishes under the first amendment right to freedom of the press.

McDonald v. Chicago facts

Chicago banned personal ownership of guns within city limits and several residents of Chicago challenged the ban saying their second amendment right to bear arms was being violated.

McDonald v. Chicago decision

Ban on handguns was unconstitutional

McDonald v. Chicago reasoning

14th amendment: Due process clause keeps citizens from being denied their right to own firearms from 2nd amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright facts

Gideon arrested for robbery and was found guilty but he claimed innocent because he couldn’t afford a lawyer to adequately defend himself at trial.

Gideon v. Wainwright decision

Gideon had to be given a retrial with a lawyer as guaranteed by 5th amendment

Gideon v. Wainwright reasoning

Under 14th amendment (due process/equal protection clauses) states are required to give attorney if suspect cannot afford one.

Brown v. board facts

NAACP brought forward that black students were being denied their constitutional right to equal protection by being forced to go to inferior schools that their white counterparts.

Brown v. Board decision

Schools must be desegregated immediately

Brown v board reasoning

Overwhelming evidence showed white school being better than black schools so to honor equal protections clause, states had to desegregate.