SCOTUS Cases AP Gov

Marbury v. Madison

Facts: Man sued for his judicial commission.
Ruling: Supreme Court declared part of Judiciary Act unconstitutional.
Principle: Judicial review — courts can strike down unconstitutional laws.
Connection: Strengthens the judicial branch, checks and balances.

McCulloch v Maryland

Facts: State taxed a national bank; Federal Bank owner refused to pay.
Ruling: Congress can create a national bank; states can’t tax it.
Principles:

• Necessary and Proper Clause = implied powers

• Supremacy Clause = federal law > state law
  Connection: Strengthens federal power.

Schneck v. United States

Facts: Man distributed anti-draft leaflets during WWI.
Ruling: Speech can be limited if it creates a “clear and present danger.”
Principle: Limits on First Amendment free speech during wartime.
Connection: Free speech isn’t absolute.

Brown v Board of Education

Facts: Black students denied admission to white public schools.
Ruling: Segregation is inherently unequal — violates the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause.
Principle: Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson; desegregation of public schools.
Connection: Civil Rights Movement.

Baker v. Carr

Facts: Tennessee hadn’t redrawn districts despite population changes.
Ruling: Courts can review redistricting issues.
Principle: “One person, one vote” under Equal Protection Clause.
Connection: Political equality; opened door to gerrymandering cases.

Engel v. Vitale

Facts: NY public schools led students in a daily, voluntary prayer.
Ruling: Violates Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Principle: Government can’t promote religion in public schools.
Connection: Church-state separation.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Facts: Man denied a lawyer in state court because he couldn’t afford one.
Ruling: States must provide attorneys for indigent defendants.
Principle: 6th Amendment (right to counsel) applied to states via 14th Amendment Due Process Clause.
Connection: Incorporation doctrine.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Facts: Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.
Ruling: Protected symbolic speech under First Amendment.
Principle: Students don’t lose rights at school unless it causes substantial disruption.
Connection: Student speech rights.

New York Times Co v US

Facts: Nixon tried to block publication of the Pentagon Papers.
Ruling: Government can’t use prior restraint unless there’s direct threat to national security.
Principle: First Amendment freedom of the press
Connection: Limits government censorship.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Facts: Amish families refused to send kids to high school.
Ruling: State can’t force schooling beyond 8th grade if it violates religious beliefs.
Principle: Free Exercise Clause protects religious practice.
Connection: Religious liberty > state interests in some cases.

Roe v. Wade

Facts: Woman challenged Texas law banning abortions.
Ruling: Women have a right to privacy that includes the choice to have an abortion.
Principle: 14th Amendment Due Process Clause protects privacy.
Connection: Reproductive rights; later modified by Dobbs (2022, not required for AP).

Shaw v. Reno

Facts: North Carolina drew a bizarre district to create a Black-majority district.
Ruling: Racial gerrymandering violates Equal Protection Clause.
Principle: Race can’t be the predominant factor in redistricting.
Connection: Builds on Baker v. Carr.

US v. Lopez

Facts: Student brought a gun to school; charged under federal law.
Ruling: Congress overstepped by using Commerce Clause to justify the law.
Principle: Limits federal power, supports state authority.
Connection: Devolution of power to the states.

Citzens United v. FEC

Facts: Organzation tried to limit corporate funding of political broadcasts.
Ruling: Political spending = protected speech under First Amendment.
Principle: Corporations/unions can spend unlimited $$ on independent political ads.
Connection: Rise of Super PACs and campaign finance debates.

McDonald v. Chicago

Facts: State banned handguns; citizen challenged based on 2nd Amendment.
Ruling: 2nd Amendment right to bear arms applies to states.
Principle: Selective incorporation via 14th Amendment.
Connection: Extends gun rights from federal to state level.