Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison

The decision that established the authority of American courts to overturn laws and invalidate government actions that violate the Constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The decision that established the supremacy of the Constitution, the expansion of Congress’ powers beyond those enumerated, and the inferior status of state laws in relation to federal laws.

Schenk v. U.S.

The landmark decision that established that the First Amendment does not protect speech that creates a “clear and present danger.”

Brown v. Board of Education

The landmark decision that established that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Baker v. Carr

The decision that facilitated the development of the “one person, one vote” doctrine and enabled federal courts to weigh in on legislative redistricting questions.

Engel v. Vitale

The landmark decision that established that is was unconstitutional for public schools to lead students in prayer.

Gideon v. Wainwright

This landmark decision guaranteed the right to an attorney for those who could not afford one.

Tinker v. Des Moine

The landmark decision that established that students may exercise their First Amendment rights in public school as long as their actions do not cause a “substantial disruption.”

New York Times v. U.S

The landmark decision that established that the freedom of the press could not be curtailed by presidential claims of executive privilege.

Wisconsin v. Yonder

The landmark decision that established that Amish families could not be required to send their children to public education past the eighth grade.

Roe v. Wade

The landmark decision that established pregnant women have a right to abortion without excessive government restriction as an expression of their right to privacy.

Shaw v. Reno

The decision that used the Equal Protection Clause to mandate strict scrutiny for redistricting on the basis of race.

U.S v. Lopez

The decision that limited congressional powers under the Commerce Clause by ruling that Congress is not authorized to regulate the carrying of firearms.

McDonald v. Chicago

The decision that ruled that the Second Amendment applies to the states through the doctrine of selective incorporation.

Citizens United v. FEC

The decision that ruled that the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment covers political spending by corporations, labor unions, and other groups.

Dobbs v Jackson

The decision that upheld the Mississippi law and overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey concluding that the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion

Griswold v. Connecticut

The decisison stated that a married couple has a right of privacy that cannot be infringed upon by a state law making it a crime to use contraceptives.