FCLE Landmark Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the Court's power of judicial review

Baron vs. Baltimore (1833)

The Court determined the Bill of Rights did not apply to the state governments, establishing aprecedent that lasted until the 14th amendment

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

the Court held that US citizenship did not extend to people of African descent

Ex parte Milligan (1866)

the Court held that military tribunals to try civilians when civil courts are operating isunconstitutional

United States v. Nixon (1974)

The Court ordered President Nixon to deliver tape recordings and subpoenaed materials to a federal district court; executive privilege is not absolute. Rule of law applies to president.

Bush v. Gore (2000)

The different standards of courting votes in different counties violated the Equal Protection clause.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

The 2nd amendment allows for firearms in the home for lawful purpose of self defense

Schenck v. United States (1919)

the words used by Schenck created a "clear and present danger" and were not protected by the 1st amendment

Near v. Minnesota (1931)

prior restraint in publications under the Minnesota law was a violation of the 1st amendment

West Virginia v. Barnette (1943)

first amendment freedom of speech protects students from being forced to salute the flag in school

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools - violation of establishment clause

New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)

a newspaper cannot be held liable for making false and defamatory statements about the conduct of an official unless those statements were made with malice

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

a public school could not punish a student for peaceful protest if it did not interfere with school discipline

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

school administrators could exercise prior restraint of school sponsored expression if its related to legitimate concerns

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

burning the American flag is protected by the first amendment as it is symbolic speech

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

the government cannot restrict independent expenditures for political campaigns from corporations, labor unions, and others

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Evidence obtained unconstitutionally cannot be used in court (fourth Amendment) Exclusionary rule applied to states.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

states must provide attorneys to criminal defendants who are unable to afford their own (sixth)

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Prosecutors cannot use a person's statements in response to interrogation in police custody unless they can prove that person has been informed of their rights

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Protection from self incrimination (fifth)

In Re Gault (1967)

Juveniles tried for cromes in delinquency proceedings are also protected under due process (fith and sixth)

Pleesy v. Ferguson (1896)

Racial segregation did not violate the 14th amendment

Seperate but equal

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Overturns "separate but equal" in public education

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

Affirmative Action upheld, but schools could not use "quotas" to achieve diversity

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

The first amendment protects the right to free speech, despite the speakers corporate identity

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

school sponsored prayer is unconstitutional

Prayer is not Vital

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

warrant MAPS out where the evidence can be found

Oberfell v. Hodges (2015)

Required states to recognize same sex marriages performed

in other states.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

married couples should be able to access contraception without government interference. Constitutional right to privacy.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

a woman has liberty to choose to have an abortion; but this freedom is not absolute and must be balanced against the health of the mother and fetus.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health 2022

the constitution does not confer a right to an abortion. Roe v. Wade is overturned, and abortion laws are now determined by the states.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Congress has implied powers to implement the Constitution's expressed powers and a state cannot impeded on this

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Only congress can regulate interstate commerce

Cooper v. Aaron (1958)

states must enforce federal law even if they disagree with them.