ap gov scotus

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review by striking down part of the Judiciary Act of 1789 as unconstitutional

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Ruled Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause and that states cannot tax the federal government; established federal supremacy over state law

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Established the "clear and present danger" test; speech that poses a clear and present danger is not protected by the First Amendment

Brown v. Board of Education, I (1954)

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy's "separate but equal" doctrine

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Ruled redistricting is a justiciable issue and established the "one person, one vote" principle

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Ruled that state-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to a court-appointed attorney for defendants who cannot afford one

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Ruled public school students retain free speech rights as long as it doesn't substantially disrupt the school environment

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Established a "heavy presumption against prior restraint," allowing publication of the Pentagon Papers despite national security claims

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Ruled that compelling Amish children to attend school past 8th grade violates the Free Exercise Clause

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Recognized a right to privacy protecting a woman's decision to have an abortion under a trimester framework; later overturned by Dobbs v. Jackson (2022)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled that redistricting based predominantly on race, even to benefit a minority group, can violate the Equal Protection Clause

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Ruled Congress overstepped its Commerce Clause power in banning guns near schools, reinforcing limits on federal power

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Ruled political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech, leading to the rise of Super PACs

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms, applying it to state and local governments