us history supreme court cases test

Right to assembly - first amendment

means people can gather peacefully to express ideas or protest without government interference, as protected by the First Amendment.

right to religion

first amendment

freedom of speech

first amendment

right to petition

means people can ask the government to change or fix something without fear of punishment, protected by the First Amendment.

schneck v us

1. Freedom of speech case 

2. In WW1 the espionage act was passed and it made it so that it was illegal to interfere with government handling the war 

3. Schenck was against the US and told people to burn their draft notices and was arrested for violating the 1st amendment rights

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

• burned an American flag during a political protest and was arrested under a Texas law banning flag desecration.

• First Amendment – Freedom of Speech

• The Court ruled 5–4 for Johnson, saying flag burning is protected symbolic speech.

Snyder V. Phelps (2011)

• Members of the Westboro Baptist Church protested a Marine’s funeral with offensive signs. The soldier’s father sued for emotional distress. The case questioned whether free speech protects such protests.

• First Amendment – Freedom of Speech

engal v vital (1962)

• A New York public school had students recite a short, voluntary prayer each morning. Parents sued, claiming it violated the separation of church and state

• First Amendment – Establishment Clause

Lee v. Weisman (1992)

• A middle school in Rhode Island invited a rabbi to give a prayer at its graduation ceremony. A parent, Deborah Weisman, objected, saying the school’s involvement in organizing the prayer forced students to take part in a religious activity

• First Amendment – Establishment Clause

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

• Wisconsin law required all children to attend school until age 16. Three Amish parents refused to send their children past 8th grade, saying that high school conflicted with their religious beliefs and way of life. They were fined and took the case to court, arguing it violated their faith

• First Amendment – Free Exercise Clause

New York Times v. United States (1971)

• The New York Times and Washington Post tried to publish the Pentagon Papers, which revealed government secrets about the Vietnam War. The U.S. government tried to stop them, claiming it would harm national security. The newspapers argued this violated freedom of the press.

• First Amendment – Freedom of the Press

1. Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

• Police entered Dollree Mapp’s home without a warrant and found illegal materials. She was convicted using that evidence.

• Fourth Amendment – Illegal Search and Seizure

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

• Ernesto Miranda was arrested for kidnapping and assault. During police questioning, he confessed without being told he had the right to remain silent or have a lawyer. His confession was used to convict him, and he appealed, arguing his rights had been violated.

• Fifth & Sixth Amendments – Protection Against Self-Incrimination and Right to Counsel

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

• Citizens United, a nonprofit group, wanted to air a film criticizing Hillary Clinton before the 2008 election. Federal law banned corporations and unions from spending money on political ads close to elections, so the group sued, claiming this violated free speech.

• First Amendment – Freedom of Speech

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)

• Two state laws, one in Pennsylvania and one in Rhode Island, used public tax money to help pay salaries and materials for teachers in private religious schools. Alton Lemon, a Pennsylvania teacher, challenged the law, saying it mixed government with religion.

• First Amendment – Establishment Clause

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

• Clarence Gideon was charged with a crime but couldn’t afford a lawyer. The court refused to appoint one, and he had to defend himself, leading to his conviction. He appealed, saying this violated his right to a fair trial.

• Sixth Amendment – Right to Counsel

Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)

• Danny Escobedo was arrested and questioned by police but wasn’t allowed to see his lawyer. He eventually confessed, and the confession was used to convict him.

• Sixth Amendment – Right to Counsel

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

• Background: Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War and were suspended. The students argued this violated their First Amendment rights to free speech. The school said it was disruptive.

• Part of the Constitution: First Amendment – Freedom of Speech

1. Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

• Background: A principal removed two articles from a school newspaper that discussed teen pregnancy and divorce. Students claimed this violated their First Amendment rights.

• Part of the Constitution: First Amendment – Freedom of the Press

1. New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)

• Background: A student’s purse was searched after she was caught smoking, and officials found drugs and evidence of dealing. She argued the search violated her Fourth Amendment rights.

• Part of the Constitution: Fourth Amendment – Protection against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures.

1. Goss v. Lopez (1975)

• Background: Nine students were suspended from public school without being given a hearing. They argued this violated their Fourteenth Amendment right to due process.

• Part of the Constitution: Fourteenth Amendment – Due Process Clause

1. Board of Education, Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982)

• Background: A school board removed books from the library they considered offensive. Students said this limited their right to access information.

• Part of the Constitution: First Amendment – Freedom of Speech.

• Rationale / Decision: The Court ruled 5–4 for Pico, saying school officials can’t remove books just because they disagree with the ideas in them.

• Impact: Protected students’ rights to access diverse viewpoints in school libraries.

1. Bethel School District v. Fraser (1986)

• Background: A student gave a speech with sexual jokes at a school assembly and was suspended. He argued this violated his free speech rights.

• Part of the Constitution: First Amendment – Freedom of Speech

1. Veronia v. Acton (1995)

• Background: A school required student athletes to take random drug tests. One student refused and was denied participation, arguing it violated his Fourth Amendment rights.

• Part of the Constitution: Fourth Amendment – Search and Seizure

1. Sante Fe v Doe (2000)

• Background: A Texas school allowed student-led prayers over the loudspeaker before football games. Families complained it violated the Establishment Clause.

• Part of the Constitution: First Amendment – Establishment Clause

establishment clause first amendment

• The US cannot establish an official state religion

• US can’t give preference to any religion over another

• Religious doctrine separate from Political laws (Separation of Church and State (Government)

2nd amendment

• A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed

• limits Types of bullets 

• Types of guns 

• Who can purchase guns

4th amendment

• Protects from unreasonable searches and seizures with out a warrant and/or probable cause (good reason) 

• Warrant: go to a judge and present all the evidence and give you a doc that allows you to search someone

5th amendment

• Protects from double jeopardy (being charged twice with the same crime) 

  • This was done because if this wasn’t protected you could be put on trial over and over until you are convicted 

• And due process (know all aspects of the case before going on trial, ex: who is suing you and for what) 

• Protects from self incrimination (being a witness against yourself)

  • Pled the 5th

• miranda rights

6th amendment

• Speedy trial 

• Impartial jury (unbiased jury) 

• Right to a lawyer

8th amendment

• “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

• Meaning:

  • Protects people from unfair treatment in the justice system.

  • Limits government power in punishment and financial penalties.

• Excessive Bail

  • Bail must be reasonable based on the crime and flight risk.

  • Example violation: Setting $1 million bail for a minor theft.

• Excessive Fines

  • Fines must be proportional to the offense.

  • Example violation: Charging $100,000 for a traffic ticket.

• Cruel and Unusual Punishment

  • Punishments must not be barbaric or grossly disproportionate.

  • Example violations:

    • Torture or physically brutal punishments.

    • Death penalty for minor crimes (in some cases).