AP US Government Core Supreme Court Cases

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to important Supreme Court cases in AP US Government.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to strike down any law or presidential action that violates the Constitution, established by Marbury v. Madison.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Clear and Present Danger

A standard used to determine when speech is not protected under the First Amendment, as established in Schenck v. United States.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that prohibits states from denying any person equal protection under the law.

Establishment Clause

Part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

Malapportionment

A situation where districts are not redrawn to reflect population changes, violating the principle of equal representation.

Selective Incorporation Doctrine

The legal doctrine that states must provide certain constitutional rights to defendants, based on the 14th Amendment.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal expression, which is protected under the First Amendment, as supported by Tinker v. Des Moines.

Prior Restraint

The government's action to prevent publication or speech before it occurs, as prohibited by the First Amendment in New York Times v. United States.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states, as strengthened in United States v. Lopez.

Implied Right to Privacy

A constitutional right inferred from various amendments, notably used to support the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Judicial Review established (SCOTUS can declare laws unconstitutional), strengthening the judicial branch.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Congress has implied powers (Necessary & Proper Clause); Federal law is supreme over state law (Supremacy Clause), broadening Congressional power.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

1st Amendment free speech can be limited if it presents a "clear and present danger." This case established the precedent that speech creating a clear and present danger to national security or public safety is not protected under the First Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

State-sponsored segregation in public schools violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, overturning "separate but equal." Overturned Plessy vs Ferguson

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Challenges to state legislative districts are not "political questions" and can be reviewed by federal courts under the 14th Amendment ("one person, one vote").

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

(Prayer in schools) Mandatory recitation of a non-denominational prayer in public schools violates the 1st Amendment's Establishment Clause.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

The Supreme Court ruled that the 6th Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in criminal cases, requiring states to provide an attorney for defendants unable to afford one.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students have 1st Amendment free speech rights in public schools, including symbolic speech, as long as it is not substantially disruptive. This landmark case affirmed that students do not lose their constitutional rights to freedom of speech at school, allowing them to express themselves through actions like wearing armbands in protest.

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

The government has a heavy burden to justify prior restraint of the press; the publication of the Pentagon Papers was protected by the 1st Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

The 1st Amendment's Free Exercise Clause outweighs Wisconsin's compulsory education law for Amish parents seeking to remove their children after the 8th grade for religious reasons. This case affirmed the right of Amish families to educate their children in accordance with their religious beliefs, recognizing the importance of freedom of religion.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

A woman's right to an abortion is protected by the right to privacy under the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Oddly shaped congressional districts drawn solely to create a majority-minority district can be challenged under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause; race cannot be the determining factor for gerrymandering

United States v. Lopez (1995)

The Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, limiting the scope of this federal power.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Corporations and unions have the same 1st Amendment free speech rights as individuals to spend money on political advertising.

McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010)

The 2nd Amendment right to bear arms for self-defense is applicable to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

The 14th Amendment's Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses guarantee the right to marry to same-sex couples nationwide.