Required supreme court cases

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Issue

Maryland taxed the Second Bank of the US; Could states tax federal institutions?

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Decision

Unanimous- Congress can create a national bank; Maryland cannot tax it.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Principle

Necessary & Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause

U.S. v. Lopez (1995) Issue

Can Congress ban guns near schools under the Commerce Clause

U.S. v. Lopez (1995) Decision

5-4: Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress' Commerce Clause power.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995) Principle

Limits of Commerce Clause (Relevancy)

U.S. v. Lopez (1995) Counterargument

Education is linked to the national economy; guns in schools could affect commerce indirectly.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Issue

Can schools require a non-denominational prayer?

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Decision

6-1: School-sponsored prayer violates Establishment Clause

Engel v. Vitale (1962) Principle

Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment; Incorporation Doctrine interpreted from the 14th Amendment

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Issue

Can Amish children be exempt from schooling after 8th grade?

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Decision

Unanimous- State cannot override religious practice.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Principle

Free Exercise Clause

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Issue

Can students protest wearing armbands in school?

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Decision

7-2: Students' peaceful protest is protected

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Principle

Symbolic Speech under the 1st Amendment; Substantial Disruption Test

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Issue

Can the government prevent publication of the Pentagon Papers?

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Decision

6-3: Prior restraint is unconstitutional unless it's to uphold national security

Schenck v. United States (1919) Issue

Is distributing anti-draft pamphlets protected by Free Speech?

Schenck v. United States (1919) Decision

Unanimous- Not protected due to the encouragement of avoiding the draft

Schenck v. United States (1919) Principle

Free Speech

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Issue

Does the 6th Amendment right to counsel apply to states?

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Decision

Unanimous- States must provide attorneys for defendants who cannot afford one.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Principle

6th Amendment's Right to Counsel; Incorporation Doctrine

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Issue

Does 2nd Amendment protect gun ownership from state laws?

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Decision

5-4: Chicago's heavy handgun regulation is unconstitutional

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Principle

2nd Amendment; Incorporation Doctrine

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Counterargument

Nothing in history or logic of the 2nd Amendment makes gun ownership a fundamental right.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Issue

Is racial segregation in public schools constitutional?

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Decision

Unanimous- Segregation is unconstitutional; overturns Plessy v. Ferguson

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Principle

Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment; "Separate but Equal" Doctrine

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) Issue

Can corporations spend unlimited money on political campaigns?

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) Decision

5-4: Corporations can spend unlimited money.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) Principle

1st Amendment protects Corporate Political Speech

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) Counterargument

Corporations are not natural persons; unlimited spending could distort democracy.

Baker v. Carr (1961) Issue

Are redistricting issues justiciable?

Baker v. Carr (1961) Decision

6-2: Courts can hear redistricting cases; "One Person, One Vote."

Baker v. Carr (1961) Principle

14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause

Shaw v. Reno (1993) Issue

Is race-based redistricting constitutional?

Shaw v. Reno (1993) Decision

5-4: Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

Shaw v. Reno (1993) Principle

14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause

Marbury v. Madison (1803) Issue

Can the Supreme Court order delivery of commissions via writ of mandamus?

Marbury v. Madison (1803) Decision

Court cannot issue writ; Section 13 of Judiciary Act unconstitutional

Marbury v. Principle:

Established Judicial Review