AP Gov SCOTUS Cases

Marbury v. Madison

John Adams did a series of midnight appointments right before Thomas Jefferson became president. William Marbury was one of these appointments but Jefferson messed with the process so Marbury sued. Established the principle of Judicial Review. Specifically, John Marshal declared that the Judiciary Act violated the Constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Maryland tried to impose taxes on the federal government’s banks. Maryland also claimed that the bank was unconstitutional because creating a bank was not explicitly stated as an enumerated power in the Constitution. The court sided with the federal government, claiming that the government was exercising its power to regulate interstate commerce through creating a bank (Elastic clause permitted this). Established the principle of implied powers (powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution that the federal government possesses but needs to exercise its enumerated powers)

Brown v. Board of Education

An African American student had to go too far to get to their segregated school. The Brown family sued and with the help of the NAACP, the court overturned Plessy v. Furgeson’s Separate but Equal doctrine as separation is inherently unequal. Marks the start of the civil rights movement as schools were ordered to be desegregated.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Gideon charged with breaking and entering in florida. Gideon could not afford a lawyer, and Florida only provided attorneys for capital cases. Scotus est. Right to counsel - of any felony in a state court - selective incorporation (through 14th) of the 6th Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Students protested the Vietnam War at school using armbands. They were subsequently given a suspension by the school. The court ruled in favor of the students, claiming that the student’s free speech was being violated. Established the principle of symbolic speech (not spoken but done through actions or items). Schools can limit speech if it substantially interferes with education and discipline. —> substantial disruption test

United States v. Lopez

Lopez was found carrying a firearm at school, and was charged for violating a federal law restricting the presence of guns in schools. The law has been based on the federal government’s ability to control interstate commerce. The court ruled that the law was unconstitutional because it was an overreach of federal power. Having a gun is not an economic activity that would have any substantial effect on commerce. This brought the federal government’s power down a notch.

Baker v. Carr

Tennessee had been slacking on updating its legislative districts, resulting in a massive disparity of representation. Baker sued, claiming that his 14th amendment equal protection under the law rights were being violated. The court sided with Baker and established the “One Person One Vote” doctrine, which established that legislative districts be roughly equal to ensure fair representation.

Engel v. Vitale

The school had a voluntary prayer at the start of every school day. The prayer was written by school officials and was teacher/student-led. Engel and other parents sued, arguing that it violated the Establishment clause. The court ruled that it violated the First Amendment’s Establishment clause. The government should not draft prayers and should not connect itself directly with religion.

New York Times Co. v. United States

The Nixon Administration tried to prevent the New York Times from publishing materials including classified documents on US involvement in the Vietnam War. The Nixon Administration argued that prior restraint was necessary because of national security. The court ruled against Nixon, saying that their claim at security risk did not pass the very high threshold to justify prior restraint. This reinforced the First Amendment’s freedom of press because it prevented government censorship except in cases where it would be incredibly dangerous.

Schenck v. United States

Schenck was a member of the socialist party and passed pamphlets encouraging refusal of the draft. The court sided against him, citing his speech as inherently dangerous and unprotected. Created the clear-and-present danger test, which declared inherently dangerous speech as unprotected by the first amendment.

McDonald v. Chicago

The city of Chicago has extensive gun laws but McDonald (old man) wanted to purchase a gun for self defense. McDonald’s home had been robbed multiple times in the past and gangs were a present danger. The court sided with McDonald, selectively incorporating the 2nd Amendment (right to bear arms) to the states.

Shaw v. Reno

North Carolina tried to create a majority African American district that was incredibly gerrymandered. They wanted to right previous wrongs by ensuring better African American representation. Shaw and other white voters sued, claiming that the gerrymandered district was unconstitutional. It violated the Equal Protection clause. Resulted in gerrymandering solely based on race for districts being unconstitutional.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish families (the Yoders) were prosecuted for taking their kids out of high school 2 years early to follow the Amish religious lifestyle. Wisconsin law required 16 years of formal education. However, Amish parents believed that letting their children stay for those 2 years would expose them to bad influences that would undermine their faith. They believed that their First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. The court sided with the Amish, claiming that the 2 years of education were not worth it and would do psychological harm to the Amish children.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commissioner

Citizens United wanted to run a film they made that criticized Hilary Clinton (2008). The BCRA would stop them from using funds to influence elections within 30-60 days of federal elections. SCOTUS determined independent political spending is protected speech and limiting it violates 1st amendment, can’t ban just because is corporation