Required Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Ruled part of the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional; this case established judicial review.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Ruled that Maryland could not tax the national bank, asserting Congress's implied powers.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919)

Ruled that speech creating a 'clear and present danger' is not protected under the First Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Ruled that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional; 'separate but equal' is inherently unequal.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Federal courts can hear reapportionment cases; unequal voting districts violate the Fourteenth Amendment.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Ruled that state-sponsored school prayer is unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Ruled that defendants must be provided an attorney; a fair trial requires legal representation.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students do not lose free speech rights at school unless their expression causes substantial disruption.

New York Times Co. v. U.S. (1971)

Ruled that the government could not censor publication of the Pentagon Papers; prior restraint is unconstitutional.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Ruled that mandatory school attendance laws interfere with sincere religious practice; Amish families can withdraw children after 8th grade.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Ruled that women have a constitutional right to abortion as part of personal liberty and privacy.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled that race-based redistricting can be unconstitutional, violating equal protection.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act was unconstitutional; gun possession near schools is not interstate commerce.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Ruled that spending money for political communication is protected speech under the First Amendment.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Ruled that gun ownership is a fundamental right; the Second Amendment applies to states.