Required SCOTUS Cases

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

• about the First amendment

• school-led religious prayer violates the establishment clause of the first amendment even if it is voluntary and non-denominational

• however, student-led prayer does not violate this

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

• about the First Amendment

• forcing Amish students to attend school past the 8th grade violated the establishment clause of this 1st amendment

• further established the free exercise clause

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

• about the first amendment

• freedom is speech expression is kept within schools as long as it does not disrupt learning environment

New York Times v. United States (1971)

• about the first amendment

• set the precedent that ensures freedom of press by limiting prior restraint unless it causes extreme danger in national security

Schenk v. United States (1919)

• about the first amendment

• set the precedent that freedom of speech is interpreted different in times of peace vs. in time of war

• speech that represents a clear and present danger is not protected under the 1st amendment

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

• about the equal protection clause in the 14th amendment

• school segregation violated the equal protection clause which ensures everyone is treated equally under the same jurisdiction and law

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

• about selective incorporation from the 14th amendment’s due process clause

• used and enforced the 6th amendment right that everyone gets an attorney via the due process clause where no one is denied life, liberty, or property

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

• about selective incorporation from the 14th amendment’s due process clause

• enforced the 2nd amendment to prevent states from limiting gun regulation via the due process clause where no one is denied life, liberty, or property

Furman v. Georgia (1972)

• about the 8th amendment/bill of rights

• states the precedent that the death penalty cannot be used in a biased way, as it is defined as cruel and unusual punishment

• death penalties are unconstitutional

Mapp v. Ohio

• about the 4th amendment/bill of rights

• established the exclusionary rule which prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence

• also applied the 4th amendment to the states through the due process clause, establishing the right against unreasonable searches and seizures

Miranda v. Arizona (1963)

• about the fifth amendment/bill of rights

• established the miranda rights, requiring police to inform suspects of their rights to silence and legal counsel during police custody

Roe v. Wade (1973)

• about the 14th amendment right to privacy/bill of rights

• established that a woman has a constitutional right to choose to have an abortion without government restriction

• also includes selective incorporation meaning states cannot restrict this right during the first trimester of pregnancy, but can restrict after