EXAM PREP: required court cases overview

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established that federal law is greater than state law and allowed for a national bank under the necessary and proper clause.

United States v. Lopez

Limited congressional power under the interstate commerce clause by ruling that the federal government couldn't regulate guns in schools.

Baker v. Carr

Established that reapportionment cases are justiciable and addressed the issue of unequal voting districts.

Shaw v. Reno

Ruled that gerrymandering based solely on race is unconstitutional, promoting a colorblind interpretation of the Constitution.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Engel v. Vitale

Ruling that state-sponsored prayer in schools violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Protected the exercise clause by ruling in favor of Amish families' right to withdraw their children from school.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Affirmed students' free speech rights, ruling that students can protest the Vietnam War in schools.

Schenck v. United States

Established the clear and present danger doctrine concerning wartime free speech, ruling against anti-draft pamphlets.

New York Times v. United States

Protected freedom of the press, ruling against prior restraint by the government related to the Pentagon Papers.

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms against state laws.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Ensured the right to counsel is provided in state cases under the Sixth Amendment.

Roe v. Wade

Recognized an implied right to privacy that includes a woman's right to have an abortion.

Brown v. Board of Education

Overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine, enforcing the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause and outlawed segregation in schools.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Defined free speech in terms of campaign funding, allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns.