FCLE court cases

Maubury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

This case established that congress could not ban slavery; ruled that slaves were NOT citizens and they could not sue in a federal court

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Maryland was trying to tax the national bank and supreme court ruled that federal law was stronger than state law; Supremacy clause, Commerce clause, Implied powers

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Established that racial segregation could be constitutionally upheld; Separate but equal

Schneck v. United States (1919)

Established that unless there was a clear and present danger, certain speech can be restricted

Korematsu v. United States (1944)

Established that certain offenses are acceptable in times of war

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Established that evidence found illegally could not be used against the person in question in a court of law

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established that federal courts can decide cases about how states draw their voting districts

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Established that it is unconstitutional for public schools to lead students in prayers

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Established that everyone accused of a crime has the right to an attorney 

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Supreme court ruled that students do not lose their first amendment rights to free speech when they are at school

New York Times v. United States (1971)

Supreme court said freedom of the press means the government can’t censor or block the media just because it might make the government look bad 

United States v. Nixon (1974)

Nixon had to hand over the white house tape recordings; no one is above the law

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

Ruled that race can be considered as one factor in college admissions, but colleges cannot use strict racial quotas 

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Supreme court ruled that students free speech rights are limited in school sponsored projects 

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Supreme court ruled that burning the American flag is protected under the first amendment

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Supreme court ruled that states cannot draw oddly shaped voting districts just to separate  voters by race

United States v. Lopez

Supreme court ruled congress went too far in using its power under the commerce clause when it made a law banning guns near schools

Bush v. Gore (2000)

Supreme court said the way Florida was recounting votes wasn’t fair and treated voters unequal, which violated the 14 amendment of equal protection clause  

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Supreme court ruled individuals have the right to own firearms for personal use, such as self defense at home 

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Supreme court ruled the second amendment right to own a gun applies to state and local governments too, not just the federal government

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Supreme court said corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political ads as long as it’s independent of a candidates campaign