Court Cases

Marbury vs. Madison

Judicial Review = power of the courts to declare acts of congress unconstitutional

Laws of states 

McCullough vs. MD

Taxation - can states tax the federal government? -> NO

Strengthened federal government 

Worcester vs. GA

“Cherokee Decision” -> tribes rights upheld but Jackson refuses to enforce -> Trail of Tears 

Dred Scott vs. Sanford

Scott was an enslaved man, went to free territory and demanded freedom. Court refused freedom -> the federal government cannot take away property and denied him citizenship -> led to 14th amendment of birthright citizenship

Plessey vs. Ferguson

Plessey (African American under law) wanted to sit in a car reserved for white people. Segregation laws were upheld by the court (separate but equal was legal). 

Brown vs. Board of Education

Plessey is overturned - separate cannot be equal, segregation must be ended (dejure (by law) segregation)

Defacto (by fact) segregation  - not by law -> start of the civil rights movement

Engel vs. Vitale

School prayer - the regents prayer violated the separation of church and state

Gideon vs. Wainwright

Wrote letter to supreme court in forma pauperis - ruled that all people have the right to legal counsel 

Legal Aid Society - lawyers who volunteer to defend you if you cannot afford a lawyer

Part of your right to due process

Miranda decision

But be read your miranda rights before questioning