SC Rulings

Marbury v. Madison

Established Judicial Review when x refused to uphold y’s commission

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established a National Bank was Constitutional

Gibbons v Ogden

Strengthened the power of the national government over state governments and the commerce clause (express power of congress to regulate commerce). This was a loose constructionist interpretation of the commerce clause.

US Term Limits v. Thornton

decided there are no term limits for congress.

Citizens United v FEC

overturned McCain-Feingold Act. Made Super PACs legal; Allowed interest groups, corps, and unions to spend unlimited money if they do not coordinate their spending with a candidate

Shelby v Holder

SC Case where the VRA act was overturned, allowing states to issue disenfranchizeing laws. Disproportionally affected young, less educated, or racial minorities.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

ruled congress nor states had the power to regulate slavery. Ruled blacks and inferior and okay to enslave. The Supreme Court denied a man and his family’s freedom.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

ruled “separate but equal” has no place in education, meaning segregating facilities would not be allowed as they violated the 14^th amendment. Overruled Plessy v Ferguson.

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby

Challenged Affordable Care act that required coverage for contraceptives. SC ruled they did not have to provide based on free exercise clause

Carson v. Makin

Rules states cannot prohibit private religious schools from receiving grant money because if it is provided to secular schools, denying such would be a violation of free exercise.

Texas v. Johnson

Ruled burning the Flag is protected free speech.

Brandenburg v. Ohio

Political speech can only be restricted if it creates a danger or imminent lawless action. Involved challenge by KKK organization to a state law that prohibited speech advocating illegal activities.

Miller v. California

Established Miller test is used to determine whether something is obscene

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District

ruled student can protest actions (arms bands) in ways that don’t disrupt school operations.

Lemon v Kurtzman

Struck down laws that provided financial aid to private religious schools; ruled that the program violated the Establishment cause due to excessive entanglement with religion.

United States v. Miller

Ruled that congress could regulate firearms not regularly used in the military

Mapp v. Ohio

Established Exclusionary Rule; evidence obtained without a warrant is admissible in court.

Miranda v Arizona

Ruled for protection against self-incrimination through coercion or intimidation

Plessy v Feguson

upheld “separate but equal” as not a violation of the 14^th amendment.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Rules same-sex marriage license valid in all states, states must issue same-sex licenses if they issue other types, and effectively overturned the DOMA act.

Griswold v. Connecticut

SC ruling that struct down state law that made it a crime to use contraceptives and advise about them. Held that married couples have the right to use birth control.

Roe v. Wade

Gave Texas women the right to abortion.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org

Overturned Roe and Casey. Returning full regulation of abortion to the states.

Gideon v. Wainwright

set the precedent that poor defendant must be provided legal counsel in felony cases.

Buckley v. Valeo

Required candidates to disclose who donates and imposes limits on individual contribution to a campaign