AP Gov final court cases

what are the facts for US vs Lopez

a student brought an unloaded gun to school and was charged with violating the federal Gun-Free School zones act of 1990, which banned intentionally carrying a gun in a school zone.

what is the issue for US vs Lopez

Did the Gun-Free schools zones act of 1990 unconstitutionally exceed Congress’s authority to legislate under the commerce clause?

what is the holding for US vs Lopez?

The Gun-Free School zones act is unconstitutional.

What is the reasoning for US vs Lopez?

Possession of a gun in a school zone does not substantially affect interstate commerce. The commerce clause does not grant Congress endless power.

What is the big picture for US vs Lopez?

Win for the states, win for conservatives, doesn’t change the broad interpretation of the commerce clause.

What are the facts to McCulloch vs Maryland?

Several states, including Maryland, passed laws to tax the bank of the United States.

what is the issue for McCulloch vs Maryland?

Did Congress have the powers to establish a national bank and can a state tax the federal government?

What is the holding for McCulloch vs Maryland?

Congress may establish a national bank and a state cannot tax the federal government.

What is the reasoning for McCulloch vs Maryland?

As a result of the necessary and proper clause, Congress has implied powers and is not limited to its expressed powers. Also, the supremacy clause asserts that the federal government is superior to state governments when the two conflict.

What is the big picture for McCulloch vs Maryland?

It is a federalism case so we see the expansion of federal power.

What are the facts for Baker vs Carr?

Tennessee had not redrawn its legislative districts despite population changes. This caused rural voters to have more power so Charles Baker argued that this violated the Equal Protection clause.

What is the issue for Baker vs Carr?

Did Tennessee’s failure to redistrict, which caused unequal representation, violate the Equal Protection Clause and can the federal courts rule on redistricting cases, or is this a political question?

What is the holding for Baker vs Carr?

Yes, federal courts can hear redistricting cases. The court rules that apportionment claims based on the Equal Protection Clause are justiciable, not just a political question.

What is the reasoning for Baker vs Carr?

The court said that unequal districts can violate the 14th amendment by diluting some citizens vote. Also, because this deals with constitutional rights, the judiciary can intervene.

What is the big picture for Baker vs Carr?

It opened the door for “one person, one vote”, forced states nationwide to redraw districts fairly, it overturned a major precedent, and marked judicial activism.

What are the facts for Shaw vs Reno?

North Carolina created a bizarrely shaped majority-minority district for the purpose of increasing black representation in Congress to comply with the voting rights act of 1965.

what is the issue for Shaw vs Reno?

Can state residents challenge in federal court Congressional districts that are racially gerrymandered?

what is the holding for Shaw vs Reno?

Residents may challenge majority-minority districts if race was the only factor used in created the district.

what is the reasoning for Shaw vs Reno?

Drawing a Congressional district basked only on race violated the equal protection clause and opposed the “colorblind” ideal of US law.

What is the big picture for Shaw vs Reno?

Districts can’t be redrawn based only on race.

What are the facts for Marbury vs Madison?

William Marbury was appointed as justice of the peace in DC by Adams but didn’t receive his commission, so he petitioned the supreme court to compel the secretary of state, James Madison, to deliver his commission.

What is the issue for Marbury vs Madison?

Does Marbury have the right to his commission and does the supreme court have the authority to order the delivery of the commission?

What is the holding for Marbury vs Madison?

Marbury was entitled to his commission. However, the court was unable to grant it because the relevant portion of the judiciary act of 1789 allowing Marbury to sue conflicted with the constitution and was therefore null and void.

What is the reasoning for Marbury vs Madison?

Congress couldn’t pass legislation that supersedes the constitution because the supremacy clause places the constitution above laws.

What is the big picture for Marbury vs Madison?

It established judicial review, empowering the supreme court to declare legislative and executive action unconstitutional.