gov court cases for civil liberties

Wisconsin v Yoder

Rules that the amish were exempt from wisconsin compulsory education law because of the free exercise clause protected their right to withdraw children after the 8th grade due to deeply held religious beliefs that further schooling conflicted with their way of life.

Engel v Vitale

State-sponsored prayer in U.S. public schools unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. Public schools cannot compose or require prayer, as this uses government power to promote religion.

Schenck v US

Court upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for distributing leaflets opposing the military draft during World War I, establishing the "clear and present danger" test, which held that free speech could be limited if it posed a significant threat to national security, like "falsely shouting fire in a theatre.”

Tinker v Des Moines

The case centered on students suspended for wearing black armbands to silently protest the Vietnam War, affirming that symbolic speech is protected unless it causes significant disorder, setting a key precedent for student expression. 

New Nork times co v US

Ruled the Nixon administration couldn't stop The Times and Washington Post from publishing classified documents about the Vietnam War, finding the government failed to prove publication would cause irreparable harm, upholding the First Amendment's core principle of a free press.

Establishment Clause

prohibits the government from establishing a religion; no official church

Free Exercise Clause

freedom to practice (or not) their own religion to an extant