Intro to Law Exam 2 Cases & Extra's

Mathews v. Eldridge (1976)

The Court addressed what process is due before the government can terminate Social Security disability benefits.

Balancing test in Mathews v. Eldridge

Weighs (1) the private interest affected, (2) the risk of erroneous deprivation and the value of additional safeguards, and (3) the government's interest.

Lochner v. New York (1905)

The Court struck down a state law limiting bakers to a 60-hour workweek, holding it violated the Fourteenth Amendment's protection of 'liberty.'

Lochner era

Period during which the Court aggressively protected economic rights under substantive due process.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

The Court held that a woman's decision to terminate a pregnancy falls within a fundamental right to privacy protected by the Due Process Clause.

Trimester framework established in Roe v. Wade

During the first trimester, the state could not regulate abortion; during the second, it could regulate in ways related to maternal health; during the third, it could prohibit abortions except when necessary to protect the mother's life or health.

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

The Court upheld a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks and explicitly overruled Roe v. Wade.

Standard for substantive due process in Dobbs v. Jackson

Protects only those rights that are 'deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition' and 'implicit in the concept of ordered liberty.'

Palko v. Connecticut (1937)

The Court considered whether the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Selective incorporation introduced in Palko v. Connecticut

Only rights that are fundamental to 'ordered liberty' are incorporated.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

The Court upheld a Louisiana law requiring racial segregation on trains, establishing the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Impact of Plessy v. Ferguson

Legitimized widespread racial segregation for decades and represents one of the most criticized rulings in Supreme Court history.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

The Court unanimously overturned Plessy in the context of public education, holding that racial segregation in schools is inherently unequal.

Psychological effects emphasized in Brown v. Board of Education

The detrimental psychological effects of segregation on Black children were highlighted.

Craig v. Boren (1976)

The Court struck down an Oklahoma law that allowed women to purchase low-alcohol beer at age 18 but required men to wait until age 21.

Intermediate scrutiny established in Craig v. Boren

Gender-based classifications are subject to intermediate scrutiny, requiring the government to show an important governmental interest.

Railway Express Agency v. New York (1949)

New York City banned advertising on vehicles unless it was the owner’s own business.Railway Express Agency used trucks with ads for other businesses → got fined → challenged the law.

New York City Ordinance Case

The Court upheld a city ordinance that prohibited advertising on vehicles unless the advertisement was related to the owner's business.

Rational Basis Review

The Court applied a highly deferential rational basis review, holding that the law was constitutional as long as it was rationally related to a legitimate government interest, such as traffic safety.

Loving v. Virginia (1967)

The Court invalidated state laws banning interracial marriage, holding that they violated both the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Strict Scrutiny

The Court found that racial classifications are inherently suspect and must satisfy strict scrutiny, which the law could not meet.

Fundamental Right to Marriage

The Court recognized marriage as a fundamental right, further strengthening its conclusion.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969)

The Court held that the government cannot punish inflammatory speech unless it is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to produce such action.

Incitement Test

This case establishes the modern incitement test and significantly strengthens free speech protections.

Ward v. Rock Against Racism (1989)

The Court upheld New York City's regulation requiring the use of city-provided sound equipment and technicians at concerts in Central Park.

Content-Neutral Regulation

The Court held that the regulation was a valid content-neutral time, place, and manner restriction because it was narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest.

Employment Division v. Smith (1990)

The Court held that the Free Exercise Clause does not exempt individuals from complying with neutral laws of general applicability.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)

This decision later led to the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022)

The Court held that a high school football coach's post-game prayers on the field were protected under the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses.

Private Religious Expression

The Court emphasized that the Constitution protects private religious expression, even in public settings.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

The Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm for lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.

Handgun Possession

The Court struck down a D.C. law that effectively banned handgun possession.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

The Court held that statements made during custodial interrogation are inadmissible unless law enforcement officers inform the suspect of their rights.

Miranda Warnings

This case establishes the requirement of Miranda warnings and is a cornerstone of criminal procedure.

Green v. United States (1957)

The Court held that retrying a defendant for a greater offense after a jury convicts him of a lesser included offense violates the Double Jeopardy Clause.

Double Jeopardy Clause

This case strengthens protections against double jeopardy.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

The Court held that the Sixth Amendment right to counsel is fundamental and applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Right to Appointed Counsel

This case ensures that indigent defendants have the right to appointed counsel in criminal cases.

Coy v. Iowa (1988)

The Court held that placing a screen between a defendant and a child witness violated the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses.

Confrontation Clause

This case reinforces the importance of confrontation rights in criminal trials.

Barker v. Wingo (1972)

The Court addressed whether a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial had been violated after a lengthy delay.

Balancing Test for Speedy Trial

The Court created a balancing test that considers the length of delay, the reason for the delay, whether the defendant asserted the right, and prejudice to the defendant.