supreme court cases

all required for gov exam

marbury v. madison

background: Marbury sued Madison for failing to deliver his judicial commission

ruling: court established the principle of judicial review

significance: asserted the judiciary’s role in interpreting the constitution, strengthening the balance of powers

mcculloch v. maryland

background: Maryland tried to tax 2nd bank and McCulloch refused to pay

ruling: congress has implied powers under the necessary and proper clause

significance: affirmed federal supremacy over state laws

schenck v. u.s

background: Schenck told people to not join the draft during WWI and was charged under the espionage act

ruling: speech presented a “clear and present danger”, not protected under the 1st amendment

significance: limits free speech during wartime

brown v. board

background: african american students were denied entry to certain public schools based on race

ruling: “separate but equal” educational facilities are inherently unequal, violating the equal protection clause

significance: ending racial segregation in schools

engel v. vitale

background: school authorized a voluntary prayer at the start of each day

ruling: prayers in public schools violated the establishment clause (1st amendment)

significance: reinforced the separation of church and state

baker v. carr

background: Tennessee failed to redistrict despite population changes

ruling: federal courts can adjudicate redistricting cases; established “one person, one vote” principle

significance: enabled federal courts to intervene in state redistricting issues

gideon v. wainwright

background: gideon was denied an attorney in a felony case

ruling: state are required to provide an attorney to clients who cannot afford one

significance: expanded defendants’ rights and due process protections

tinker v. des moines

background: students wore black armbands to protest against the vietnam war and were suspended

ruling: students don’t lose their 1st amendment rights at school

significance: affirmed students’ rights to free expression in public schools

new york times v. u.s

background: government attempted to prevent the new york times form publishing the pentagon papers

ruling: the press has the right to publish classified information

significance: strengthen protections for freedom of the press against government censorship

wisconsin v. yoder

background: amish families objected to a state law requiing education beyond eighth grade

ruling: compelling amish students to attend schools violated the free exercise clause

significance: recognized the rights of religious groups to be exempt from certain laws conflicting with their beliefs

roe v. wade

background: roe challenged texas laws criminalizing abortion

ruling: right to privacy encompasses a woman’s decision to have an abortion

significance: legalized abortion nationwide, recognizing reproductive rights

shaw v. reno

background: north carolina’s congressional redistricting created a bizarrely shaped majority-black district

ruling: redistricting based predominantly on race violated the equal protection clause

significance: sets limits on racial gerrymandering in electoral district design

u.s. v. lopez

background: student charged under the gun-free school zones act for brining a gun to school

ruling: exceeded congress’ authority under the commerce clause

significance: reaffirmed the principle of federalism by limiting congressional power

mcdonald v. chicago

background: chicago’s handgun ban was challenged as violating the 2nd amendment

ruling: the right to bear arms is applicable to the states through the 14th amendment

significance: extended gun ownership rights. to state and local levels

citizens united v. FEC

background: citizens united wanted to air a film critical of hillary clinton, challenging campaign finance restrictions

ruling: corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited under the 1st amendment

significance: dramatically changed campaign finance laws, allowing unlimited independent political expenditures by corporations and unions