Required Supreme Court Cases

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Conflict: Charles Schenck was arrested for distributing leaflets urging people to resist the WWI draft, arguing it was protected by free speech.
Winner: The U.S. government.
Precedent: The Court ruled that speech creating a “clear and present danger” is not protected by the First Amendment.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Conflict: A public school in New York led students in a daily, voluntary prayer. Parents sued, saying it violated the First Amendment.
Winner: Engel (the parents).
Precedent: School-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, even if participation is voluntary.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Conflict: Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War and were suspended.
Winner: Tinker (the students).
Precedent: Students don’t lose their First Amendment rights at school, as long as their speech doesn't cause major disruptions.

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

Conflict: The government tried to stop the New York Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers, citing national security.
Winner: New York Times.
Precedent: The government can’t use “prior restraint” to censor the press unless it proves serious, immediate harm.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Conflict: Amish families didn’t want to send their kids to high school due to religious beliefs, but Wisconsin law required it.
Winner: Yoder (the Amish families).
Precedent: Religious freedom can outweigh compulsory education laws under the First Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Conflict: Clarence Gideon was denied a lawyer in his criminal trial because he couldn’t afford one.
Winner: Gideon.
Precedent: States must provide free legal counsel to defendants who can't afford one, under the Sixth Amendment.

McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010)

Conflict: Chicago had strict gun control laws, and McDonald argued they violated his Second Amendment rights.
Winner: McDonald.
Precedent: The Second Amendment right to bear arms applies to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Conflict: African American students were denied admission to white public schools due to segregation laws.
Winner: Brown (the families).
Precedent: Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional; “separate but equal” is inherently unequal.