15 Required SCOTUS Cases

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Judicial Review

The ability of the Supreme Court to declare a legislative or executive act unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Court ruled that Congress has the power to create a national bank and states cannot tax it, establishing the implied powers doctrine.

Elastic Clause

Also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, it grants Congress the authority to make all laws necessary for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Schenck v. United States

Ruled that not all speech is protected under the First Amendment; actions that pose a clear and present danger can be restricted.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court decision that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all persons.

Engle v. Vitale

Supreme Court decision ruling that official school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Supreme Court case that guaranteed the right to counsel for defendants in state courts under the Sixth Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Supreme Court ruling that held that students do not lose their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech when they step onto school property.

Prior Restraint

Government action that prohibits speech or other expression before it can take place.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Supreme Court case ruling that the state's interest in education must be balanced against the free exercise of religion.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark decision that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion under the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Shaw v. Reno

Supreme Court case that ruled racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional as it violates the Equal Protection Clause.

United States v. Lopez

Supreme Court ruling that the Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

McDonald v. Chicago

Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the doctrine of selective incorporation.

Citizens United v. FEC

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.