5.2 Major Supreme Court Cases

Brown v Board of Education (1954)

Linda Brown wanted to attend her neighborhood school in Topeka, Kansas but was told she must attend the segregated black school.

Question and Ruling of Brown v Board of Education (1954)

• if separate but equal violates the 14th amendment's equal protection clause

• court ruled that "separate but equal" was inherently unequal especially if the sole basis of separation is race.

Escobedo v Illinois (1964)

Danny Escobedo was questioned for 14 hours in a murder investigation. He and his attorney asked for each other but was denied and eventually confessed to his murder.

Question and Ruling of Escobedo v Illinois (1964)

• if the police violated Escobedo's 6th amendment right to an attorney

• court ruled that the police did violate Escobedo's 6th amendment right to counsel; one's right to counsel begins as soon as someone requests an attorney.

Miranda v Arizona (1966)

Ernesto Miranda was arrested and charged with kidnapping and rape. Police asked him if he knew his rights but did not tell him what those rights were. At this time, it was not common practice to inform suspects of their rights.

Question and ruling of Miranda v Arizona (1966)

• if the police violated Miranda's 5th and 6th amendment rights by not informing him of those rights?

• The court ruled that not informing a suspect of their rights is indeed a violation of their rights. The procedure of informing a suspect of their "Miranda Rights" is now a standard procedure when someone is arrested.

New Jersey v TLO (1985)

A 14 year old student was caught smoking in the restroom at school. The assistant principal conducted a search of her purse and found weed and evidence that she had been selling weed at school. She was expelled from school.

Question and ruling of New Jersey v TLO (1985)

• if the school violated her 4th amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure

• The court ruled that the school did not violate her 4th amendment rights because schools have a duty to maintain a safe learning environment, they have much more latitude to conduct searches than the police.

Texas v Johnson (1989)

Communist Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag protesting the policies of President Reagan. He was arrested and convicted with violating a Texas state law which made it illegal to desecrate a venerated object

question and ruling of Texas v Johnson (1989)

• if Texas' law is a violation of Johnson's 1st amendment right of speech and expression and if flag burning is a form of "symbolic speech

• The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that Texas' law did violate the 1st amendment. States cannot ban certain types of "symbolic speech" simply because it may anger someone or that it's an unpopular opinion.

Tinker v Des Moines (1969)

During the Vietnam War, students decided to wear black armbands to protest America's involvement in the war. the principal said anyone wearing arm bands would be suspended

question and ruling of Tinker v Des Moines (1969)

• if the school violated the student's 1st amendment freedom of speech

• The court ruled that the school did violate the student's 1st amendment rights. The protest was acceptable because it was passive in nature and did not disrupt the learning environment

Engle v Vitale (1962)

Public school students in New York were required to begin each day reciting a non-denominational Christian prayer. Students and parents felt that being required to recite a prayer violated their freedom of religion.

question and ruling of Engle v Vitale (1962)

• if New York requiring this prayer violates the establishment clause of the 1st amendment

• The court ruled that children being required to recite a prayer in a public school operated by the government could be interpreted as the establishment of a state religion.

Gideon v Wainright (1963)

Clarence Gideon was arrested and charged with theft along with breaking and entering. Gideon asked for a court appointed attorney as he could not afford an attorney. He was denied a court appointed attorney. According to Florida law, a court appointed attorney was only made available in capital cases. (death penalty)

question and ruling of Gideon v Wainright (1963)

• if Florida's law violated the 6th amendment right to counsel.

• The court ruled that Florida's law was unconstitutional and the 6th amendment right to counsel exists in all cases.

Mapp v Ohio (1962)

Police arrive at the home of Dollree Map based on a tip that a wanted individual was in her home. She denied entry but police still forced their way into her home with a fake search warrant. She was arrested for possession of gambling paraphernalia and obscene materials.

question and ruling of Mapp v Ohio (1962)

• if the police violated her 4th amendment protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

• The court ruled that her 4th amendment rights were violated. The police had no probable cause to search for the items she was charged with. The court established the "exclusionary rule"

What is the exclusionary rule?

any evidence obtained in an illegal search must be excluded and may not be used against the accused.

D.C. v Heller (2008)

Washington D.C. had a law that specifically banned the possession of handguns. Residents argued that D.C.'s law limited their ability to protect themselves in their own homes and that it was a violation of the 2nd amendment.

question and ruling of D.C. v Heller (2008)

• If D.C.'s ordinance violates the 2nd amendment's right to own firearms.

• The court ruled that D.C.'s law was unconstitutional. The ruling states that an individual's right to gun ownership is not limited to militia membership.