Court Cases - H. Principles of Democracy

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The court established its role as the arbiter of the constitutionality of federal laws, the principle is known as judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The court ruled that states cannot tax the federal government, i.e. the Bank of the U.S.; the phrase "the power to tax is the power to destroy"; confirmed the constitutionality of the Bank of the U.S.

Gibbons V. Ogden (1824)

Clarified the commerce clause and affirmed Congressional power over interstate commerce.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)

"The conditions of the Indians in relation to the U.S is perhaps unlike that of any two people in existence," Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, "their relation to the U.S. resembles that of a ward to his guardian...(they were a) domestic dependent nation." Established a "trust relationship" with the tribes directly under federal authority.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Established tribal autonomy within their boundaries, i.e. the tribes were "distinct political communities, having territorial boundaries within which their authority is exclusive.

Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837)

The interest of the community are more important than the interests of business; the supremacy of society's interest over private interest.

Commonwealth v. Hunt (1842)

Declared that labor unions were lawful organizations and that the strike was a lawful weapon.

Scott v. Stanford (1857)

Speaking for widely divided court, Chief Justice Taney ruled that Dred Scott was not a citizen and had no standing in court; Scott's residence in a free state and territory had not adequately him free since returned to Missouri; Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in a territory (based on the 5ht amendment right of a person to be secure from seizure of property), thus voiding the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Ex Parte Milligan (1866)

Ruled that a civilian cannot be tried in military courts while civil courts are available.

Pollock v. The Farmers Loan and Trust Co. (1895)

Declared the income tax under the Wilson-Gorman Tariff to be unconstitutional.

"Insular Cases"/ Downes v. Bidwell (1901)

Confirmed the rights of the federal government to place tariffs on good entering the U.S. from U.S. territories on the grounds that "the Constitution does not follow the flag."

Lochner v. New York (1905)

Declared unconstitutional a New York act limiting the working hours of baker due to a denial of the 14th amendment.

Scheneck v. U.S. (1919)

Unanimously upheld the Espionage Act of 1917 which declared that people who interfered with the war effort were subjected to imprisonment; declared that the 1st amendment right to freedom of speech was not absolute; free speech could be limited if its exercise presented a "clear and present danger."

Adkins v. Children's Hospital (1923)

Declared unconstitutional a minimum wage law for women on the grounds that it denied women freedom of contract.

Korematsu v. U.S. (1941)

The court upheld the constitutionality of detention camps for Japanese-Americans during World War Two.

Ex Parte Endo (1944)

The court forbade the internment of Japanese-Americans born in the U.S. (Nilsen)

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Extends to the defendant the right of counsel in all states and federal criminal trials regardless of their ability to pay.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

The court ruled that those subjected to in-custody interrogation be advised of their constitutional right to an attorney and their right ti remain silent.

Roe v. Wade (1968)

The court legalized abortion by ruling that state laws could not restrict it during the first tree months of pregnancy. Based on 4th amendment rights of a person to be secure in their person.

Bakke v. Regents of the University of California (1978)

Ambiguous ruling by a badly divided court that dealt with affirmative action programs that used race as basis of electing participants. The court general upheld affirmative action, but with a 4/4/1 split, it was a very weak decision.

Clinton v. Jones (1997)

Rejecting an appeal by president. Clinton in a sexual harassment suit, the Court ruled that a sitting president did not have temporary immunity from a lawsuit for actions outside the real of official duties.

Bush v. Gorge (2000)

The court ruled that manual recounts of presidential ballots in the Nov. 2000 election could not proceed because inconsistent evolution standards in different continues violated the equal protection clause. In effect, the ruling meant Bush would win the election.