AP Gov SCOTUS Cases

Marbury v. Madison

Madison did not deliver commissions of opposing party member, Marbury. Court does not have power to issue writ of madamus under 3.2.2 of Constitution, striking down Judiciary Act of 1780. Established judicial review: Court can overturn unconstitutional laws.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Maryland taxes national bank, McCulloch refuses to pay. Congress has power to create national bank under Necessary and Proper Clause, and Maryland can’t tax because Supremacy Clause. Sets precidents for these clauses.

Schenck v. US

Schneck made flyers urging resisting the draft. Espionage Act did not violate freedom of speech because certain actions during times of war can threaten national security. Sets precident of “clear and present danger.”

Brown v. Board

Brown sued over segregated schools. Segregation violates 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. “seperate education is inherently unequal”

Baker v. Carr

Tennesse failed to redraw district lines, Baker sued but court refused to hear case. Concluded federal courts have authority make decisions about appointment of state population.

Engel v. Vitale

Engel said requirement of prayer in school violated Establishment Clause of First Amendment. Court ruled in Engel’s favor (incorperates Establishment Clause)

Gideon v. Wainwright

Gideon convicted without lawyer. Court ruled states must appoint counsel under the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel. (incorperates right to counsel)

Tinker v. Des Moins

Tinkers suspended for symbolic armbands at school. Court ruled armbands were form of speech. Established precident that schools must prove “substantial and material interference with school operations” to take this freedom.

NY Times v. US

Nixon Admin tried to prevent release of classified documents. Court found this prior restraint to violate First Amendment Freedom of the Press because no proof these dangers were threat to national security.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish prosecuted for not sending kids to school due to religious beliefs. Court ruled this violated First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause.

Roe v. Wade

Ruled Fourteenth Amendement’s right to privacy protects a woman’s choice to abortion with some restrictions.

Shaw v. Reno

NC redisctricting based on race. Court ruled that this redistricting exceeded what was necessary to avoid racial imbalances.

US v. Lopez

ruled Gun Free School Zones act exceeded Congress authority under Commerse Clause - stretched elastic clause too far

McDonals v. Chicago

Incorperates DC v. Heller decision to apply to states: Second Amendment protects right to keep functional firearms for self-defense, striking down DC’s restrictions.

Citizens United v. FEC

ruled BCRA, an effort to limit soft money, violated First Amendment right to free speech