2026 AP GOVERNMENT SCOTUS REQUIRED CASES

MARBURY V. MADISON

Judicial Review. (Supreme Court is empowered to declare an act of legislation or executive unconstitutional)

MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND

(Article 1, Section 8) Necessary and Proper Clause. (Implied powers)

Facts: deciding national bank and state taxes established supremacy of constitution and federal over state laws.

Remember: McBankLand

SCHENCK V. UNITED STATES

1st Amendment (Free Speech)

Facts: Speech creating a “clear and present danger” (advocating burning draft cards) was not protected by the First Amendment and could be limited.

Remember: Schenck Shouted!

BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION

14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)

Facts: Race-based school segregation and “Separate but equal” doctrine is unconstitutional

Remember: Brown Education

BAKER V. CARR

14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)

Facts: Redistricting/Malapportionment (Unequal population districts) between rural and urban areas growing at different rates

Remember: BAKEqualRedistricting

ENGEL V. VITALE

1st Amendment (Establishment Clause)

Facts: School sponsorship of religious activities (…like a daily prayer, although optional)

Remember: “ANGEL” v. VITALE

GIDEON V. WAINWRIGHT

6th Amendment (right to attorney)

14th Amendment (procedural due process) (Selective Incorporation of rights to states)

Facts: The right to an attorney is true no matter how poor a person is.

Remember: The WRIGHT to GID a lawyer.

TINKER V. DES MOINES INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

1st Amendment (symbolic (free) speech)

Facts: A prohibition against public school students wearing black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War

Remember: Can’t TINKER with MOI rights.

NEW YORK TIMES CO. V. UNITED STATES

1st Amendment (freedom of the press)

Facts: Nixon tried to prevent NYT from printing part of Pentagon Papers that were embarrassing to gov’t

Remember: NEW YORK’s Pentagon

WISCONSIN V. YODER

1st Amendment (Free Exercise Clause)

Facts: Compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade is unconstitutional.

Remember: YODEling Amish

SHAW V. RENO

14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)

Facts: Gerrymandering based purely on race (majority-minority districts)

Remember: SHAW “REversed” racism

UNITED STATES V. LOPEZ

(Article 1, Section 8) Commerce Clause

Facts: Congress overstepped, making possession of a firearm in a school zone a federal crime rather than a local/state crime.

Remember: Local LOPEZ

MCDONALD V. CHICAGO

2nd Amendment (right to keep and bear arms) (self-defense)

Facts: Selectively Incorporates self-defense claim applicable to states.

Remember: Old McDonald had a gun.

CITIZENS UNITED V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

1st Amendment (Freedom of Expression)

Facts: Political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech. (independent groups can spend unlimited amounts in support of candidates, not directly to or coordinate with candidates)

Remember: Citizens Cash