FCLE Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional for the first time, establishing Judical Review It gave the Supreme Court its role as final authority in interpreting the constituion

McCulloch v. Maryland

Declares the National Bank of the U.S. constituional and ruled a state cannot tax the federal government. Strong support of implied powers. Supported the Supremacy Clause → upheld the supremacy of the federal government over the states

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Black people, slave or free, were NOT citizens and could not sue in federal court. Overturned by the 13th and 14th amendments

Plessy v. Ferguson

UPHELD racial segregation aka “Separate but Equal” (overturned by Brown v. Board of Education

Korematsu v. United States

This court case is a strong example of Supreme Court upholding the restriction of civil rights

Brown v. Board of Education

Ruled racial segregation and “Separate but Equal” unconstiutional

Mapp v. Ohio

All evidence obtained by illegal search & seizures is inadmissible. ALWAYS about the 4th amendment: protective from unreasonable searches and seizures

Gideon v. Wainright

6th amendment right to counsel - applies to criminal defendants in state courts as well as federal

Miranda v. Arizona

ALWAYS ABOUT THE 5TH AMENDMENT: Law enforcement must advise suspects of their rights to remain silent, obtain an attorney, and self-incrimination during interrogation while in police custody

United States v. Nixon

Executive Privilege does not apply during a criminal investigation (a strong example of Judical Review over the Executive Branch)

Regents of University of California v. Bakke

Affirmative Action - College admissions vote was split 4-4. Court decided in favor of Bakke and permitted admission, but did not rule on the overall topic of the constitutionality of affirmative action

Texas v. Johnson

Burning the American Flag was protected under the 1st amendment “expressive speech is free speech”

District of Colombia v. Heller

overly strict gun control regulation laws are a violation of the 2nd amendment and the term ‘militia’ does not mean military

Schenck v. U.S.

It was against the law to speak out against the war effort or encourage people to evade the draft (Espionage Act). The Supreme Court ruled that due to the national emergency of being at war, this does not violate the freedom of speech (first amendment)

Baker v. Carr

Court can hear cases that were political in nature (reapportionment) and the Supreme Court can hear cases on Gerrymandering and legislative apportionment for political purposes

Engel v. Vitale

No prayer in public school even if required and not tied to a particular religion. Violates the Establishment Clause (prohibits the government from establishing a religion) of the 1st amendment

Tinker v. Des Moines

Schools cannot stop students from wearing armbands in support of a cause. YOU DO NOT give up your first amendment rights when you enter the school gates

New York Times v. United States

New York Times printed the Pentagon Papers (US military activities in Vietnam) would not compromise safety and constituionally protected. Restricing their printing would have been a violation of the 1st Amendment Freedom of the Press

Wisconstin v. Yoder

Individual’s interest in free exercise of religion outweighted the state’s interest in compelling schools attendance beyond 8th grade. Violates the Free Exercise Clause (protects citizens right to practice their religion as they please) of the 1st amendment

Roe v. Wade

Abortion declared legal under right to privacy and state may not regulate the 1st trimester (overturned by Dobs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization)

• Ruling was based on a woman’s 14 amendment (Right to Privacy)

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

The principal can censor what goes into the school newspaper - does not violate the first amendment/free speech rights

Shaw v. Reno

Affirmed gerrymandering based on race was unconstituional and only upheld it for political purposes

U.S. v. Lopez

Gun Free School Zones Act (makes it illegal for any individual to knowingly possesses a firearm in a school zone) is declared unconstituional because it’s an overeach of Implied Powers

Bush v. Gore

States cannot use different standards from county to country when determining vote count. First time in history the Supreme Court has impacted the outcome of a presidental election

McDonald v. Chicago

Extended ruling in Heller case to the states. Exact same ruling as Heller. 2nd amendment protections

Citizens United v. FEC

Corportations, interest groups, and labor unions have free speech and can create advertisements that promote a political viewpoint (only if they don’t work with the campaign or coordinate with the candidate)

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette

Compelling school students to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstituional (stated it violated their 1st amendment Free Exercise Clauce Rights)