FCLE Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

first supreme court case ever; established judiciary review to check constitutionality

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

“Necessary & Proper” clause. Allowed congress to setup Fed bank in Maryland independently from the state.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Court established that slaves are property, not people.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Court said segregation was legal as long as facilities provided were “separate but equal”

Shneck v. US (1919)

Court established constitutional rights could be stripped as per the Espionage Act to protect national security

Korematsu v. United States (1944)

Court said FDR’s Exec Order 9066 (sent the japanese to internment camps) was legal, because was with Japan was “clear and present” danger.

Brown v. Board (1954)

Overturned Plessey v. Fergeson segregation only in public schools on the grounds “separate but equal” education is inherently unequal

Mapp v Ohio (1961)

Established the throwing out of evidence without warrants at the state level as well, not just federal level.

Baker v Carr (1962)

Court decided redistricting fell under judicial review, forced Tennessee to redistrict.

Engel v Vitale (1962)

Established state cannot hold prayers in public schools even if it’s voluntary and not tied to any specific religion

Gideon v Wainwright (1963)

Established criminal case defendants should get an attorney regardless of their ability to pay for one.

Miranda v Arizona (1966)

Court established all suspects taken into police custody need to be informed of their rights before questioning.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

School sent home silent protestors for wearing armbands. Students sued claiming 1st amendment rights violation. Supreme Court agreed, said school must be able to prove it interferes with the operation of the school to do that.

New York Times v United States (1971)

NY Times tried to release leaked pentagon papers about Vietnam War, Nixon admin tried to censor and suppress. Supreme court said Nixon admin violated 1st amendment rights by trying to use ‘prior restraint’ to censor.

Wisconsin v Yoder (1972)

Court decided free exercise of religion matters more than Wisconsin’s state law about children’s education.

Roe v Wade (1973)

Court said as per the Due Process clause of the 14th amendment, women get fundamental right to privacy that protects the choice to have an abortion. Texas law violated this right. *overturned in 2020, may still be on exam

United States v Nixon (1974)

Established that the president was not above the rule of the law. “executive privilege”

Regents of the University of California v Bakke (1978)

Established that affirmative action is legal, but racial quotas for the purposes of admission was illegal.

Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier (1988)

Student’s story from school newspaper was censored. Students argued 1st amendment violation. Supreme Court said school did not violate rights since the paper was published under the name of the school, and it’s reputation was tied to the paper, it could choose what to release.

Texas v Johnson (1989)

Established that burning the American Flag is considered symbolic speech protected under the 1st Amendment.

Shaw v Reno (1993)

Redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny under the Equal Protections clause of the 14th Amendment

U.S. v Lopez (1995)

Court ruled that Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was unconstitutional on the grounds Congress wasn’t allowed to regulate that. They’re supposed to be doing finances, foreign trade, and declaring war.

Bush v Gore (2000)

Florida Supreme Court wanted to recount vote ballots since the election was close. Supreme Court said it would be unconstitutional since recounting would take too long and violate the deadline to certify electors as per the 14th Amendment

District of Columbia v Heller (2008)

Court decided that the 2nd Amendment protects the rights to possess guns for lawful purposes like self defense in your home.

McDonald v Chicago (2010)

Court decided 2nd Amendment right to bear arms also applies to state and local governments. Used DC v Heller (2008) as precedent.

Citizens United v FEC (2010)

Court decided to allow all corporations and labor unions to spend unlimited funds on lobbying