Legitimacy of the Court: Understanding Precedent and Stare Decisis through SCOTUS Cases

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the Supreme Court cases Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., exploring the themes of precedent, stare decisis, and constitutional rights.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022)

A Supreme Court case that addressed the constitutionality of Mississippi's Gestational Age Act, which banned nearly all abortions after 15 weeks.

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021)

A Supreme Court case that examined whether public school officials could regulate off-campus student speech under the First Amendment.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Precedent

A legal case that establishes a principle or rule that can be followed in future cases.

First Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution that protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Roe v. Wade

The landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that ruled that the Constitution protects a woman's ability to choose to have an abortion.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey

A 1992 Supreme Court case that reaffirmed Roe v. Wade but allowed states to impose some restrictions on abortions.

Off-campus speech

Student speech that occurs outside of school premises, which the court ruled could not be regulated by schools.

Unconstitutional

Not in accordance with a political constitution or with procedural rules.

Constitutional text

The written words and provisions of the Constitution that outline the structure and function of the government.