Just cases

Gomez v. Perez (1973)

A child born outside marriage was denied the same right to financial support as a child born to married parents. The Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional because children must have equal rights to parental support regardless of their parents' marital status.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

A woman challenged a Texas law restricting abortion. The Supreme Court recognized a constitutional privacy right protecting abortion decisions, particularly early in pregnancy. This ruling was overturned by Dobbs in 2022.

Planned Parenthood v. Danforth (1976)

Missouri required unmarried minors to obtain parental consent for abortion. The Supreme Court struck down the blanket requirement because parents could not have an absolute veto over a minor's abortion decision under the historical Roe framework.

Santosky v. Kramer (1982)

New York sought to permanently terminate parental rights using a lower standard of proof. The Supreme Court ruled that termination requires clear and convincing evidence, not merely a preponderance of the evidence, because parental rights are fundamental.

Frank v. Frank

A custody dispute raised the question of whether a child's wishes should influence custody. The court recognized that a sufficiently mature child's preference can be considered when supported by good reasons, but it does not automatically determine custody.

Rivera v. Reading Housing Authority

Case cited in class for the principle that contracts made by minors are generally voidable rather than automatically void. This means the contract exists, but the minor ordinarily has the right to cancel it.

Campbell v. Sears, Roebuck & Co.

Pennsylvania case cited in class for the infancy doctrine, which generally allows minors to disaffirm or cancel contracts to protect them from contractual obligations.

Central Bucks Aero, Inc. v. Smith

Pennsylvania case cited in class concerning minors' ability to disaffirm contracts and the exception for necessaries, such as essential food, shelter, or medical care.

Lyons v. Mann (1905)

A civil assault-and-battery lawsuit involved a child younger than six. The Pennsylvania case establishes that even very young children may be sued for intentional torts; being a minor does not automatically prevent civil liability.

K.H. and D.A.H. v. J.R. and N.R. (2003)

Pennsylvania case concerning parental responsibility for a child's harmful actions. Parents are not automatically liable simply because they are parents, but may be liable for their own negligent failure to supervise or control the child.

Meyer v. Nebraska (1923)

Nebraska prohibited teaching foreign languages to younger children, and a teacher was punished for teaching German. The Supreme Court struck down the law under the Fourteenth Amendment because it interfered with parents' educational authority, children's learning, and the teacher's livelihood.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

New York authorized school-sponsored prayer even though participation was voluntary. The Supreme Court ruled that government-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause even if students can opt out.

Wallace v. Jaffree (1985)

Alabama authorized a moment of silence for meditation or voluntary prayer. The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional because its purpose was to promote prayer, violating the Establishment Clause.

Lee v. Weisman (1992)

A public school included a religious leader's prayer at graduation. The Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional because students experienced indirect social pressure to participate, even without being explicitly required to pray.

Prince v. Massachusetts (1944)

A Jehovah's Witness guardian challenged a child labor law restricting a child's public distribution of religious literature. The Supreme Court upheld the restriction because the state's interest in protecting children outweighed the religious freedom claim in that situation.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Amish parents refused to send their children to school beyond eighth grade for religious reasons. The Supreme Court sided with the parents, finding that additional compulsory schooling unjustifiably interfered with their religious freedom.

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)

Students were required to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance despite religious objections. The Supreme Court ruled that schools cannot force students to express political beliefs because freedom of speech includes the right not to speak.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students were suspended for wearing black armbands protesting the Vietnam War. The Supreme Court protected their symbolic speech because schools cannot prohibit peaceful expression without sufficient evidence of material and substantial disruption or interference with others' rights.

Board of Education v. Pico (1982)

A school board removed library books because members disagreed with the ideas expressed. The Supreme Court recognized limits on removing books simply to suppress disliked viewpoints, although legitimate educational suitability can justify removal.