Landmark court cases

William Marbury sued secretary of state James Madison for not delivering his judicial appointment. Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the supreme court to judge the constitutionality of the law.

Marbury vs. Madison (1803)

A New York public school encouraged students to recite a voluntary, non-denominational prayer each morning. A group of parents challenged it. The supreme court rules that government directed prayer in schools is unconstitutional. It violates the separation of church and state; establishment clause.

Engle v. Vitale (1962)

Two Jehova’s witness students refused to salute the American flag in school due to their religious beliefs and were expelled. The court upheld the school district’s decision, ruling that national unity was more important than individual religious beliefs. This was later overturned in 1943.

Minersville v. Gobits

Charles Schneck distrubuted leaflets urging resistance to the ww1 draft and was convicted under the espionage act. The court held that speech presenting a clear and present danger is not protected under the first amendment.

Schneck v. United States (1919)

Police conducted a warrantless search of Dollree Mapp’s home and found incriminatory evidence. Evidence obtained without a proper warrant is inadmissable in state courts, reinforcing the fourth amendment; exclusionary rule

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

William Furman was sentenced to death, raising concerns about the arbitrary application of the death penalty. The court ruled that the death penalty, in these cases, was applied in a non-arbitrary matter, constituting cruel and unusual punishment.

Furman v. Georgia (1972)

Clarence Gideon was denied a court-appointed attorney and had to represent himself in a felony trial. The Supreme court ruled that the sixth amendment requires states to provide attorneys for defendants who cannot afford one

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

A student held a “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” sign at a school-supervised event and was suspended. The court ruled that schools can limit speech that promotes illegal drug use

Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Ernesto Miranda confessed during interrogation without being informed of his rights. Ruled that people accused of crimes must be informed of their right to remain silent and to avoid self-incrimination

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Homer Plessy, who was part Black, was arrested for sitting in a whites only railcar. The court upheld segregation, establishing the separate but equal doctrine.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

African American students were denied entry to all-white public schools. Court upheld segregation in public schools in inherently unequal and unconstitutional.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam war and were suspended. Students retain their rights at school and symbolic speech is protected.

Tinker v. Desmoines (1969)

Jane Roe challenged a Texas law banning abortion. The court ruled that the right to privacy under the 14th amendment protects a woman’s choice. Ultimately states can choose in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Mississippi passed a law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, challenging Roe v. Wade. The court overturned Roe v Wade, ruling the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion, leaving it to states

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022)