Court Cases

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case establishing that the government can create a national bank under the Elastic Clause, and federal law trumps state law.

Baker v. Carr

Supreme Court case that declared malapportionment illegal and established the political question test regarding judicial review.

US v. Lopez

Supreme Court case that ruled the national government cannot regulate guns in schools due to the Commerce Clause.

Shaw v. Reno

Supreme Court case stating that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

McDonald v. Chicago

Supreme Court case that held states cannot ban guns, reinforcing the Selective Incorporation from the 14th Amendment.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case determining that the court cannot force the executive to act, as the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Supreme Court case balancing religious freedom against state education, affirming rights under the Free Exercise Clause.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Supreme Court case that affirmed students' right to wear armbands in protest under symbolic speech protections.

NYT v. US

Supreme Court case ruling that the government cannot impose prior restraint on newspapers, protecting freedom of the press.

Engel v. Vitale

Supreme Court case finding that schools cannot coerce prayer, violating the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Supreme Court case establishing the right to counsel, guaranteeing states provide an attorney under the 6th Amendment.

Schenck v. US

Supreme Court case that upheld limits on speech during wartime, establishing the 'clear and present danger' test.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court case declaring racial segregation in schools unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.