Required SCOTUS Cases (AP Gov)

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to strike down laws, thus confirming its authority.

McCulloch v. Maryland

States can’t tax federal entities; reinforced federal power via the necessary and proper clause.

United States v. Lopez

Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause by ruling that carrying a g*n in a school zone is not an economic activity.

Engel v. Vitale

Declared school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional by ruling that it violates the Establishment Clause.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Protected the free exercise of religion by ruling that Amish families do not have to send their children to school past 8th grade.

Schenck v. United States

Limited free speech by ruling that speech creating a “clear and present danger” is not protected by the First Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Protected student free speech by ruling that students can protest as long as it does not cause substantial disruption in schools.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional by ruling that “separate but equal” violates the Equal Protection Clause.

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States

Upheld the Civil Rights Act by ruling that Congress can regulate private businesses to prevent racial discrimination under the Commerce Clause.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Guaranteed the right to an attorney in criminal cases by ruling that states must provide lawyers to defendants who cannot afford one.

Miranda v. Arizona

Protected the right against self-incrimination by ruling that police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning.

Roe v. Wade

Established a constitutional right to privacy by ruling that it includes a woman’s decision to have an abortion (later overturned but still tested).

Citizens United v. FEC

Expanded political speech protections by ruling that corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on independent political expenditures.

Shaw v. Reno

Limited racial gerrymandering by ruling that oddly shaped voting districts based on race can violate the Equal Protection Clause.

New York Times Co. v. United States

Protected freedom of the press by ruling that the government cannot use prior restraint to stop newspapers from publishing classified information.