Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison

established the principle of judicial review. This allowed the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of actions. 

McCulloch v. Maryland

in a dispute between state and federal authority, this case ruled that the Federal government had supremacy over states, when dealing with FEDERAL issues. State issues though, within the state, remained under the authority of the state.

Schenck v. United States

1st amendment rights are not absolute, in the event that language creates a clear and present danger to the welfare of the public

Brown v. Board of Education

ended the practice of legal segregation in public education. Civil rights

Baker v. Carr

 gerrymandering is legal and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including race 

Ok with race 

Engel v. Vitale

establishment clause, prayer in public school is illegal. Cannot force a religion on citizens in the public sector. 

Gideon v. Wainwright

right to an attorney

Tinker v. Des Moines

freedom of expression (students wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War) 

*** Protesting is protected, even for horrible groups, as long as they are not creating a public problem*** 

NY Times v. United States

issues with prior restraint. Government cannot regulate the media

Wisconsin v. Yoder

exercise clause- government cannot tell someone how or what to practice as long as it's legal 

Shaw v. Reno

gerrymandering concerns and that redistricting cannot be focused solely on race. 

Not ok with race

United States v. Lopez

Congress attempted to limit the 2nd amendment, after challenging the ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that the commerce clause could not be used to circumvent the Bill of Rights.

McDonald v. Chicago

an attempt to prevent citizens from owning handguns. The Supreme Court ruled that states can limit, but can’t eliminate a person’s ability to be protected by a constitutional right. 

Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission

The Supreme Court ruled that corporations have the same first amendment rights as citizens and have the ability to influence elections, donating to PACs and SuperPacs the same as individual citizens.