supreme court cases

mcculloch v. maryland

Congress charter the second bank of the United States to stabilize and support the national economy. Maryland the state impose tax on it, aiming to reduce the banks influence. James McCulloch, the cashier refused to pay the tax leading to Maryland suing him. McCulloch argued that the constitution didn’t explicitly grant Congress the power to create a bank so it should be left to the state.

constitutional principle: necessary and proper clause and the supremacy clause

The Supreme Court stated that Congress has implied powers under the constitution allowing you to create a national bank as it means to carry out it’s a numerator power effectively

United States V Lopez

A high school student brought a gun to school violating the federal gun free school zones act

constitutional principle: commerce, clause, and necessary, and proper clause

Congress exceeded its power under the commerce clause when it made possessions of a gun in a school zone of federal crime

congress cannot use the commerce clause to ban guns near schools, law was unconstitutional because it did not affect interstate commerce

baker v carr

Address the issue of legislative apportionment. Tennessee’s outdated apportionment laws ignored population shifts, resulting in angle representation.

Constitutional principle: equal protection clause of the 14th amendment

course can step in when voting districts aren’t unfair

shaw v reno

White voters argued that district was drawn almost entirely based on race. The Supreme Court agreed the design raise constitutional concerns enroll that racial gerrymandering must face strict scrutiny under the equal protection clause

The constitutional principle: equal protection clause of the 14th amendment

The Supreme Court said that racial jury Mandarin violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment

marbury v. madison

William Mulberry has been appointed as justice of peace by outgoing President John Adams was denied by his commission by President Thomas Jefferson,, Secretary of State.

Constitutional principle:

jury act (allow the Supreme Court to issue writs of mandamus, compelling government officials to perform their duties)

Article 3, section 2: established the jurisdiction of the federal courts, and limits on their power

established judicial review

engel v vitale

addressed the issue of state sponsor prayer in public schools

Constitutional principle: first amendment establishment cause: Congress shall make no law respecting and establishment of religion

unconstitutional because it violated the establishment clause of the first amendment

Public schools cannot sponsor or promote prayer

wisconsin v yoder

addressed the conflict between state mandated education and the religious practice of the amish community

constitutional principle: first amendment, free exercise

the supreme court ruled that amish families cannot be forced to send their children to school past 8th grade because it violated their first amendment right to free exercise of religion

tinker v dee moines

a group of students who wore black armbands to their public school to protect the vietnam war.

constitutional principle: fist amendment, protects the freedom of speech

students do not lose their first amendment rights at school. schools cannot ban student expression unless it substantially disrupted learning

schenck v united states

whether the government could restrict speech during war.

constitutional principle: first amendment to the us constitution free speech clause

the supreme court rolled free speech can be limited if it creates a clear and present danger to government or public