Important Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to declare laws or actions by Congress or the President unconstitutional.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to review and invalidate legislative and executive actions that conflict with the Constitution.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Utilized judicial review to overturn Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Illustrated judicial review by invalidating state laws banning abortion, ruling them unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Checks and Balances

System that maintains the separation of powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Fourteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

Constitutional Principles

Fundamental ideas enshrined in the Constitution that guide judicial interpretation and legal frameworks.

Precedent

A legal decision or form of case law that serves as an example or rule to be followed in future similar cases.

Overturn

To invalidate a previous legal decision.

Societal Norms

Shared standards of acceptable behavior within a society that influence laws and judicial decisions.

Separate but Equal

Legal doctrine that justified racial segregation as long as facilities were purported to be of equal quality.

Judiciary's Role

The function of the judicial branch to interpret laws, adjudicate disputes, and ensure justice.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Established the exclusionary rule, preventing illegally obtained evidence from being used in court.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Established that individuals taken into police custody must be informed of their rights to an attorney and against self-incrimination.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Protected the right to free speech in public schools as long as it does not disrupt educational activities.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

Affirmed the freedom of the press by limiting the government's ability to restrict publication of classified information.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Recognized an individual's right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia for lawful purposes.

Shelby County v. Holder (2013)

Struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, impacting federal oversight of state voting laws.