Required Cases

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Facts of the Case:

Public schools in New York required students to recite a voluntary, non-denominational prayer and parents didn’t like it so they sued.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Constitutional Principle:

Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Decision & Impact:

Supreme Court ruled school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional. Public schools cannot lead or require prayer, even if it’s “voluntary” or non-denominational. Religion is kept separate from government institutions.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Facts of the Case:

3 Amish families refused to send children to school past 8th grade due to religious beliefs and it violated Wisconsin law that children had to stay in school until they’re 16. They’ve been fined $15 to take the kids out.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Constitutional Principle:

Free Exercise Clause of the 1st Amendment

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Decision & Impact:

Court ruled in favor of Amish. People can sometimes be exempt from laws if they conflict with sincere religious beliefs.

New York Times v. U.S. (1971) Facts of the Case:

Nixon tried to stop newspapers from publishing classified Pentagon Papers about the Vietnam War and used Prior Restraint

New York Times v. U.S. (1971) Constitutional Principle:

Freedom of the Press of the 1st Amendment

New York Times v. U.S. (1971) Decision & Impact:

Court agreed with New York Times and allowed publication. The bar to placing prior restraint has been set very high, unless there’s a serious, immediate danger.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919) Facts of the Case:

Schenck distributed pamphlets urging resistance to the draft during World War I but was arrested for breaking the law, espionage act.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919) Constitutional Principle:

Freedom of Speech of the 1st Amendment

Schenck v. U.S. (1919) Decision & Impact:

Court ruled that Schenck 1st amendment rights were not violated and was upheld conviction and created “clear and present danger” test.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Facts of the Case:

Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War and were suspended then the parents sued

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Constitutional Principle:

Freedom of Speech of the 1st Amendment

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Decision & Impact:

Court ruled in favor of students. Student speech is protected unless it disrupts school and established that freedom of speech can be symbolic

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Facts of the Case:

McDonald got robbed 5 times so he wanted to own a handgun for protection but Chicago banned handguns and he sued

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Constitutional Principle:

2nd Amendment applied to states through 14th Amendment (Selective Incorporation and Due Process Clause)

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Decision & Impact:

Court ruled in favor of McDonald and struck down handgun bans. States cannot completely prohibit handguns

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Facts of the Case:

Gideon broke into a pool hall and stole money from the register. He was arrested and was denied a lawyer because Florida doesn’t appoint a lawyer to a defendant in capital cases

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Constitutional Principle:

6th Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the 14 amendment

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Decision & Impact:

Court ruled in Gideons favor and required states to provide attorneys. Public defenders ensure fair trial