AP GOV SCOTUS cases

constitutional provision, background facts, and holding/significance

MARBURY V MADISON, 1803

Constitutional Provision: Supremacy Clause

Background Facts: William Marbury was denied a judicial appointment, and the law he tried to use to sue conflicted with the U.S. Constitution.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled the conflicting law was null and void. This established the power of Judicial Review—the authority of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

MCCULLOCH V MARYLAND, 1819

Constitutional Provision: Necessary and Proper Clause; Supremacy Clause

Background Facts: The state of Maryland attempted to tax the federally created National Bank.

Holding & Significance: Congress could create the bank (implied power) and the states could not tax the federal government (Supremacy Clause). This expanded federal power and affirmed its supremacy over states.

BROWN V BOARD OF EDUCATION, 1954

Constitutional Provision: Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment

Background Facts: Public schools were racially segregated under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

Holding & Significance: State-sponsored segregation in public schools was ruled unconstitutional because "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." It mandated the desegregation of public schools.

GIDEON V WAINWRIGHT, 1963

Constitutional Provision: 6th Amendment Right to Counsel (via the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause)

Background Facts: A poor defendant, Clarence Gideon, was denied a free lawyer for his felony trial.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that the right to an attorney is fundamental to a fair trial. States must provide a lawyer (Public Defender) to indigent (poor) defendants in felony cases, increasing the rights of the accused.

TINKER V DES MOINES INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, 1969

Constitutional Provision: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

Background Facts: Students wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War and were suspended.

Holding & Significance: Students retain their free speech rights on school property. Speech can only be limited if it is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational environment.

ROE V WADE, 1973

Constitutional Provision: Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment (as encompassing a right to privacy)

Background Facts: "Jane Roe" challenged a Texas law that banned most abortions.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that a woman's decision to have an abortion is protected by the right to privacy. This expanded women's rights and the idea of unwritten rights. (Note: This ruling was later overturned in 2022).

UNITED STATES V LOPEZ, 1995

Constitutional Provision: Commerce Clause

Background Facts: A student was charged under a federal law for bringing a gun to school.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that carrying a gun in a school zone does not substantially affect interstate commerce. This decision placed a limit on Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, bolstering states' rights.

NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY V U.S., 1971

Constitutional Provision: 1st Amendment (Freedom of the Press)

Background Facts: The Nixon administration tried to stop the NYT from publishing the classified "Pentagon Papers."

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that the government could not block publication (prior restraint) because it failed to prove a critical threat to national security. This expanded protection of the press and limited government secrecy.

BAKER V CARR, 1961

Constitutional Provision: Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment

Background Facts: Tennessee had not redrawn its legislative districts for decades, making votes in some districts count less than others.

Holding & Significance: Federal courts have the authority to hear and rule on cases related to redistricting. It established the "one person, one vote" principle, requiring districts to have roughly equal populations.

ENGEL V VITALE, 1962

Constitutional Provision: Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment

Background Facts: A public school district authorized a voluntary, non-denominational prayer to be recited each school day.

Holding & Significance: State officials cannot compose or mandate school prayer, even if it is voluntary. This was ruled an unconstitutional establishment of religion, increasing the separation of church and state in public schools.

WISCONSIN V YODER, 1972

Constitutional Provision: Free Exercise Clause of the 1st Amendment

Background Facts: The state of Wisconsin required all children to attend school until age 16, which conflicted with the Amish faith's requirement for early withdrawal.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that the state's interest in mandatory education did not outweigh the free exercise rights of the Amish, expanding protections for religious practice.

SCHENCK V UNITED STATES, 1919

Constitutional Provision: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

Background Facts: Charles Schenck handed out leaflets urging people to defy the draft during WWI.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that speech creating a "clear and present danger" is not protected (e.g., falsely shouting "fire in a crowded theater"). This limited speech rights, especially during wartime.

MCDONALD V CHICAGO, 2010

Constitutional Provision: 2nd Amendment (incorporated via the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause)

Background Facts: Residents challenged a Chicago law that effectively banned handgun possession.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense applies to the states (incorporation doctrine), significantly increasing gun rights.

SHAW V RENO, 1993

Constitutional Provision: Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment

Background Facts: North Carolina drew a highly irregular congressional district specifically to create a black-majority district.

Holding & Significance: The Court ruled that while race can be a factor, legislative districts drawn based predominantly on race must be held to strict scrutiny. This placed a limit on racial gerrymandering.

Citizens United v. FEC 2010

Constitutional Provision: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

Background Facts: A non-profit corporation sought to air a critical movie about a candidate close to an election, which was restricted by campaign finance laws.

Holding & Significance: The Court held that corporate and union spending on political broadcasts related to elections is a form of political speech protected by the First Amendment and cannot be limited. This led to the formation of Super PACs.