The 15 Required Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)⁠

Judicial Review — Gives the Supreme Court the authority to declare laws passed by Congress or the President unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)⁠

Federalism & Implied Powers — Congress has the power to create a national bank (Necessary & Proper Clause), and states cannot tax the federal government (Supremacy Clause).

Schenck v. United States (1919)⁠

Limits on Free Speech — Speech is not protected if it creates a "clear and present danger" to national security (like handing out anti-draft flyers during wartime).

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)⁠

Equal Protection & Civil Rights — Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional and inherently unequal (14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause). Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Voting Districts ("One Person, One Vote") — Federal courts can force states to redraw voting districts so all citizens have equal voting power (14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause).

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

School Prayer — Public schools cannot conduct or lead official prayers, even if voluntary (1st Amendment Establishment Clause).

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)⁠

Right to a Lawyer — States must provide a free lawyer to defendants accused of felony crimes if they cannot afford one (6th Amendment via 14th Amendment).

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)⁠

Student Free Speech — Students keep their right to free speech at school unless it causes a major disruption (1st Amendment Symbolic Speech; black armbands case).

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)⁠

Freedom of the Press — The government cannot block newspapers from publishing secret files unless there is an immediate national security threat ("Prior Restraint"; Pentagon Papers).

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)⁠

Religious Freedom — Amish families can pull their children out of school after 8th grade for religious reasons (1st Amendment Free Exercise Clause).

Roe v. Wade (1973)⁠

Right to Privacy & Abortion — The Constitution protects a woman's fundamental right to an abortion under an implied right to privacy (14th Amendment Due Process Clause).

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Racial Gerrymandering — Voting districts drawn solely based on race are unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause.

United States v. Lopez (1995)⁠

Limits on Federal Power — Banning guns in school zones is not a federal "commerce" issue; Congress overstepped its power under the Commerce Clause.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)⁠

Campaign Finance & Free Speech — Political spending by corporations and unions is protected free speech, leading to the creation of Super PACs (1st Amendment).

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)⁠

Gun Ownership Rights — State and local governments must respect an individual's right to own a handgun for self-defense (2nd Amendment via 14th Amendment).