AP Government Unit 3 SCOTUS Cases

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Summary

Whether public schools can require students to recite a

state-written prayer.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Amendment/Constitutional Concept:

1st Amendment – Establishment Clause (freedom of religion).

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Ruling

The Court ruled that official school-sponsored prayer in public

schools violates the Establishment Clause; government cannot endorse

religion.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Summary

Summary: Whether Amish parents can refuse to send their children to public school after 8th grade for religious reasons.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Amendment/Constitutional Concept:

1st Amendment – Free Exercise Clause

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Ruling

The Court ruled that Amish children cannot be forced to attend

school past 8th grade if it violates religious beliefs; individual religious

practice is protected.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Summary

Whether students could wear black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Amendment/Constitutional Concept

1st Amendment – Freedom of Speech.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Ruling

Students do not “shed their constitutional rights at the

schoolhouse door”; symbolic speech is protected unless it causes

substantial disruption.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Summary

The government preventing the NY Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Amendment/Constitutional Concept

1st Amendment – Freedom of the

Press / Prior Restraint.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Ruling

The Court ruled that prior restraint was unconstitutional; the

press has the right to publish classified information of public concern unless it causes a direct, immediate threat.

Schenckv. United States (1919) Summary

Whether distributing anti-draft pamphlets during WWI was

protected free speech.

Schenckv. United States (1919) Amendment/Constitutional Concept

1st Amendment – Freedom of Speech.

Schenckv. United States (1919) Ruling

The Court upheld the conviction; speech creating a “clear and present danger” (like obstructing the draft) is not protected.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Summary

Whether states must provide an attorney to defendants who cannot afford one.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Amendment/Constitutional Concept

6th Amendment – Right to Counsel; 14th Amendment – Due Process (Selective Incorporation).

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Ruling

The Court ruled that the right to counsel is fundamental; states must provide attorneys in criminal cases to ensure a fair trial

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Summary

Whether the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms applies to

state and local governments.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)Amendment/Constitutional Concept

2nd Amendment; 14th Amendment – Selective Incorporation.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)Ruling

The Court incorporated the 2nd Amendment against the states; individuals have the right to own guns for self-defense under state law

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Summary

Whether racial segregation in public schools is constitutional.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)Amendment/Constitutional Concept:

14th Amendment – Equal Protection Clause.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Ruling

The Court ruled that “separate but equal” is inherently unequal; racial segregation in public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause