ap gov court cases (not all)

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Definition: The Supreme Court ruled that official school prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The case challenged a New York state-sponsored prayer in public schools. The Court held that government-directed prayer in public schools is unconstitutional because it breaches the separation of church and state.

NY Times v. US (1971)

Definition: Known as the "Pentagon Papers" case, the Court ruled that the government could not impose prior restraint on the press under the First Amendment. The Nixon administration tried to stop the NY Times from publishing classified documents about the Vietnam War, but the Court held that freedom of the press outweighed national security concerns without direct evidence of harm.

Schenck v. US (1919)

Definition: This case dealt with free speech under the First Amendment during wartime. Schenck was convicted for distributing anti-draft leaflets. The Court upheld his conviction, introducing the "clear and present danger" test, stating speech that poses a clear threat to national security is not protected.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Definition: The Court ruled that students do not lose their First Amendment rights at school. The case involved students wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The Court held that symbolic speech is protected unless it disrupts school operations.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Definition: The Court limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause by ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded federal authority. The case involved a student carrying a gun to school, and the Court held that regulating guns in schools is a state, not federal, issue.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Definition: The Court declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. It overturned "separate but equal" from Plessy v. Ferguson, stating that segregation creates inherent inequality.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Definition: Established judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional. Marbury sued for a commission that was withheld. The Court held that the law giving the Court the power to issue a writ of mandamus was unconstitutional, setting the precedent for judicial oversight.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Definition: The Court upheld the constitutionality of the national bank and ruled that states cannot tax federal institutions. It reinforced the Supremacy Clause and broad interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause, affirming federal power over states.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Definition: The Court ruled that racial gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The case challenged oddly shaped districts drawn to increase minority representation. The Court held that race cannot be the predominant factor in redistricting without compelling justification.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Definition: The Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in criminal cases for defendants who cannot afford an attorney. Gideon was denied a lawyer and convicted; the Court held that fair trial rights require appointed counsel.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Definition: The Court held that redistricting cases are justiciable under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Baker challenged Tennessee’s legislative districts for unequal population. The Court established the principle of "one person, one vote."

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Definition: The Court ruled that compulsory school attendance laws violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment when applied to Amish children. The Court held that religious freedom outweighed the state's interest in education past 8th grade.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Definition: The Court held that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms applies to the states through the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. Chicago’s handgun ban was struck down as unconstitutional.