SCOTUS Cases for AP GOV

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Judicial review, SCOTUS has the authority to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Congress has the constitutional authority to establish a national bank and that states could not tax federal institutions, federal law > state law

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Separate but equal

Schenck v. United States (1919)

The 1st amendment’s protection of free speech is not absolute and can be restricted if the speech creates a “clear and present danger” to public safety or national security

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, went against the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th amendment.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Evidence obtained in violation to the 14th amendment can not be used in state courts

Baker v. Carr (1962)

1 person, 1 vote

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

It is unconstitutional for state officials to compose and encourage recitation of an official school prayer, even if voluntary.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

6th amendment gaureentees the right to legal council if you cant afford one

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

You have to be ready your rights everytime you are arrested

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Symbolic speech is allowed in schools if not distracting

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Right to privacy protects the right to abortion, 14th amendment, different abortion laws based on trimester

Texas v. Johnson

Constitution protects sympolic speech, such as burning the flag.

Wisconsin v. Yonder

the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment protected the Amish parents’ right to direct the religious upbringing of their children

U.S. v. Lopez

possession of a gun in a local school zone is not an economic activity and does not substantially affect interstate commerce, state power > federal power

McDonald v. City of Chicago

the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

New York Times v. United States

Nixon’s restrictions was unconstitutional and they could print, prior restraint is justified with national security, 1st amendment

Shaw v. Reno

Districts drawn based on race is unconstitutional, racial gerrymandering, 14th amendment, Equal Protection clause

Citizens United v. United States

Gave free speech to corporation