SCOTUS cases

Baker v Carr

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1962 that addressed redistricting and drew attention to the principle of equal representation in legislative districts, ruling that federal courts could oversee state redistricting.

Brown v Board of Education

A historic Supreme Court decision from 1954 that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, stating that "separate but equal" educational facilities are inherently unequal.

Engel v Vitale

A significant Supreme Court case from 1962 that ruled it unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools, reinforcing the separation of church and state.

Gideon v Wainwright

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1963 that held that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases, even if they cannot afford an attorney.

Korematsu v US

A pivotal Supreme Court case from 1944 that upheld the government's decision to intern Japanese Americans during World War II, ruling it was a wartime necessity despite its controversial implications on civil liberties.

Marbury v Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1803 that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to declare legislation unconstitutional.

Mcdonald v Chicago

A significant Supreme Court case from 2010 that affirmed the right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment, applying it to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

NY times v US

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1971 that upheld the right of the press to publish classified information in the defense against prior restraint, affirming the protections of the First Amendment.

Roe v Wade

A seminal Supreme Court case from 1973 that recognized a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion under the right to privacy, effectively invalidating many state laws that restricted access to abortion.

Shaw v Reno

A significant Supreme Court case from 1993 that addressed racial gerrymandering, ruling that redistricting plans that segregate voters based on race violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Tinker v Des moines

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1969 that recognized students' rights to free speech in public schools, ruling that wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War was protected under the First Amendment.

US v Nixon

A pivotal Supreme Court case from 1974 that limited the power of the president by ruling that he must comply with a subpoena to release tapes related to the Watergate scandal, reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law.

Brandenburg v Ohio

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1969 that established the standard for protected speech, ruling that inflammatory speech is protected under the First Amendment unless it incites imminent lawless action.

Citizens United v FEC

A significant Supreme Court case from 2010 that ruled corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns, emphasizing the First Amendment rights of free speech.

Gibson v Ogden

A Supreme Court case from 1824 that affirmed the federal government's authority to regulate interstate commerce, reinforcing the supremacy of federal law over state law in matters of trade.

Gitlow v NY

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1925 that held that the First Amendment's free speech protections applied to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment, establishing precedent for the incorporation of free speech rights.

Mapp v Ohio

A Supreme Court case from 1961 that ruled evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures is inadmissible in state courts, reinforcing the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches.

Mccullough v Maryland

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1819 that established the principle of federal supremacy over state laws and affirmed the implied powers of Congress to create a national bank.

Miranda v Arizona

A Supreme Court case from 1966 that established the requirement for law enforcement to inform arrestees of their rights to silence and legal counsel, protecting against self-incrimination.

Obergefell v Hodges

A Supreme Court case from 2015 that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, affirming that the right to marry is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Shneck v US

A Supreme Court case from 1919 that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for violating the Espionage Act by distributing leaflets encouraging resistance to the draft during World War I, establishing limitations on free speech.

Texas v Johnson

A Supreme Court case from 1989 that ruled that burning the American flag is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment, reinforcing the principle of freedom of expression.

US v Lopez

A Supreme Court case from 1995 that ruled the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause, affirming the limits of federal power over states.

Wisconsin v Yoder

A Supreme Court case from 1972 that held that Wisconsin's compulsory school attendance law was unconstitutional as applied to the Amish, recognizing the right to freely exercise religious beliefs.

Youngstown v Sawyer

A Supreme Court case from 1952 that ruled President Truman's seizure of steel mills was unconstitutional, reinforcing the principle of separation of powers and limiting executive authority.