REQUIRED SCOTUS Cases - AP GOV

McCulloch v. Maryland

Maryland tries to tax Bank of US; Court finds that they CANNOT do this; Congress CAN make a National Bank (Elastic Clause); National Government is supreme (Supremacy Clause)

McDonald v. Chicago

Heller case establishes that right to bear arms is fundamental right. Does it apply to states? Court says yes. Incorporates 2nd Amendment.

US v. Lopez

US Law create "Gun-Free Zones" around schools; Court says NO.; Commerce Clause cannot be used for ANYTHING, limits Commerce Clause

Marbury v. Madison

Midnight Judges; Marbury sues based on a Congressional Law; Court finds that law violates Constitution so is VOID Establishes Judicial Review

Engel v. Vitale

Public school required non-denominational prayer every morning. Court says NO; Outlawed prayer of any kind in Public School

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish parents sued to have their students removed from school after 8th grade because it is against their beliefs. Court said OK.; This is protected under the Free-Exercise Clause

Schenck v. US

Schenck found guilty of violating Sedition Act by distributing anti-war pamphlets during WWI.; Court upholds conviction.; Free Speech CAN be limited; Creates "Clear-and-Present Danger" Test

Tinker v. Des Moines

Students suspended for wearing arm-band in protest of Vietnam War; Court says NO; Symbolic Speech protected too; Students don't lose rights "at schoolhouse gates".

New York Times v.US

Pentagon Papers Case; NYT wants to publish leaked, classified documents. Government tries to stop them. Court says they can publish the documents.; The documents would not create a "clear-and-present danger", so prior restraint is not allowed.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Gideon found guilty because he couldn't afford a lawyer. Court overturns conviction.; Right to an attorney, even for those who cannot afford it. Creates Public Defenders Office.

Roe v. Wade

Roe wants an Abortion but Texas law says they are illegal; Court allows abortion. Right to Privacy includes abortion. States cannot ban abortion in 1st or 2nd trimester.

Brown v. Board of Education

Black girl wants to go to white school; Court says OK; Separate-but-equal is inherently unequal; Outlaws school segregation.

Baker v. Carr

People challenge how state apportionment took place. This had always been considered a "political question" left to Congress. Court rules on issue.; Created the precedent that the Court can rule on "political questions", especially apportionment.

Citizens United v. FEC

BCRA bans Corporations or Unions from funding campaigns; Court says NO.; Corporations = people, people have freedom of speech, money = speech, so...corporations have freedom of speech, which includes spending on political advertising, which cannot be limited.

Shaw v. Reno

NC draws district lines to create 2 majority-minority (black) districts. White people sue. Racial gerrymandering, even creating majority-minority districts, can be challenged in court.