Supreme Court Cases

Marshall Court (1801-1835)

Federalist appointed by John Adams (one of the “Midnight Judges”) - very nationalist minded

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The Court was established as the arbiter of the Constitution (the principle of judicial review). The Court had (and still has) the power to determine of laws are in accordance with the Constitution.

Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

When the Georgia legislature attempted to void an earlier land grant, the Court upheld property rights by ruling that the state’s action would “impair the obligation of contract”

Mcculloch v. Maryland (1819)

National laws were given precedence over state laws. The Court ruled that a state tax on the Second Bank of the United States was unconstitutional (“the power to tax is the power to destroy”). A national bank is implied by the “necessary and proper” (or elastic) and other clauses of the Constitution.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

Established the sanctity of contracts. New Hampshire had attempted to take over Dartmouth College by revisiting its colonial charter. The Court rules that the charter was protected under the contract clause of the Constitution.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

(1824) Established federal control over interstate commerce. The Court ruled that the state of New York could not grant a monopoly that conflicted with federal law.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)

Ruled that a state could not seize lands without the consent of the “domestic dependent nation.” Georgia and President Andrew Jackson ignored this case.

Taney Court (1835-1861)

Jacksonian Democrats did all they could to overturn Marshall Court Decisions

Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837)

Ruling that the interests of the community are more important than corporate rights. A pro-state’s rights decision.

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

A test case promoted by anti-slavery groups. Dred Scott, a slave, was declared property and not a citizen and therefore had no standing in court. His residency in free territory did not make him free as an owner had the right to take property where he pleased. This declared the Missouri Compromise of 1820 unconstitutional.

Ex parte Merryman (1861) —> End of Taney Court follows

Ruled that Abraham Lincoln had acted unconstitutionally in imposing martial law in Baltimore after an anti-union riot had threatened to lead Maryland to secession.

Ex parte Milligan (1866)

The Court struck down wartime convictions of a civilian by a military tribunal.

Texas v. White (1869)

Ruled in favor of President Andrew Johnson in dealing with Reconstruction as the Court ruled that the Union was “indestructible.” The Radical Republicans in Congress ignored the ruling.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Declared that “separate but equal” facilities for the different races was constitutional.

Muller v. Oregon (1908)

Upheld Oregon law that allowed the limitation of working hours for women.

Schnek v. U.S (1919)

Stated that the freedom of speech and press could be limited if a “clear and present danger” existed. This case was in reaction to the Sedition and Espionage Acts that were passed as a result of America’s involvement in World War 1.

Schechter v. U.S. (1935)

The “Sick Chicken Case” - this ruled that the National Industrial Recovery Act was unconstitutional because it delegated excessive powers to the executive branch.

Brown v. Board of Education (of Topeka, Kansas0 (1954)

A unanimous decision of the Court that said the segregation of blacks and whites in public schools was declared unconstitutional. The decision reversed the 1896 decision Plessy v. Ferguson.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Outlawed state led prayer in public schools and eventually other public events.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established one-man one-vote rule.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Established that persons who could not afford counsel must be appointed one by the state.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

The Court ruled that, under the guarantee of due process, suspects in custody, before being questioned, must be informed of their constitutional rights.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Rule in favor of a patient’s right to privacy when it comes to making the decision for an abortion. Laws that prohibited abortion across the nation were struck down.

Regents of California v. Bakke (1978)

Special admissions program where numbers of places were reserved for minorities violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids excluding anyone because of race from a federally funded program. However, the Court ruled that race could be considered as one of a complex of factors.