SCOTUS Cases

Dred Scott v. Sanford

ruled slaves could not be citizens and that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories

What made Dred Scott v. Sanford null in void?

The 14th Amendment

Plessy v. Ferguson

established the "separate but equal" doctrine

Brown v. The Board of Education

Established “separate but equal” was inherently unequal

What case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson?

Brown v. Board of Education

Griswold v. Connecticut

established a right to privacy

Loving v. Virginia

invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage

Roe v. Wade

established that a state ban on abortion is unconstitutional

What case set the precedent for Roe v. Wade?

Griswold v. Connecticut

Planned Parenthood v. Casey

Restrictions on abortions cannot place “undue burden” on the mother

McDonald v. Chicago

incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms to the states through the 14th Amendment

What case used selective incorporation of the 14th Amendment?

McDonald v. Chicago

Selective Incorporation

allows SCOTUS to extend federal rights to state law

Burrell v. Hobby Lobby

Established that businesses have 1st Amendment Rights (for-profits)

Obergefell v. Hodges

Established that all states must recognize marriages that were performed out-of-state

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

allows states to regulate abortions

What cases does Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization reverse?

Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey

Schenck v. United States

established the "clear and present danger" test for restricting speech during wartime

Engel v. Vitale

ruled school-sponsored prayer in public schools unconstitutional

Abington v. Schempp

Established that school-sponsored religious activities are unconstitutional

Tinker v. Des Moines

Established students' right to free speech in schools

Lemon v. Kurtzman

Established that aid to church-related schools must pass the Lemon Test

What is the Lemon Test?

A test to determine if a law violates the First Amendment, assessing secular purpose, primary effect, and excessive entanglement with religion

New York Times v. United States

upheld the right of the press to publish classified information in the interest of the public

Wisconsin v. Yoder

held that Amish children could not be compelled to attend school past the eighth grade, as it violated their religious beliefs

Miller v. California

established the Miller test for determining what constitutes obscenity

Miller Test

a standard used to determine whether speech or expression is considered obscene, based on local community standards

Wallace v. Jaffree

ruled school-sponsored prayer or meditation is unconstitutional

Bethel School District v. Fraser

Established that schools have the right to regulate speech

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

Established that schools can regulate speech and press if it conflicts with educational objectives

Weeks v. United States

Established the exclusionary rule, prohibiting illegally obtained evidence from being used in federal courts

Exclusionary rule

prevents the use of evidence collected in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights

Mapp v. Ohio

Extended the exclusionary rule to state courts

Katz v. United States

established the "reasonable expectation of privacy" standard

New Jersey v. TLO

established that school officials can search students' belongings with reasonable suspicion, balancing students' rights with school safety

Miranda v. Arizona

Established the requirement for police to inform suspects of their rights to silence and legal counsel during interrogations.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Established the right to free legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford an attorney

Furman v. Georgia

ruled the death penalty as cruel and unusual punishment in this case

Gregg v. Georgia

Upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty under certain circumstances

Roper v. Simmons

Execution of offenders for crimes committed while under 18 is unconstitutional (violation of the 8th Amendment)