ap gov court cases

New York Times v. U.S.

The government cannot impose prior restraint on the press unless it can prove a direct threat to national security. Amendment: 1st Amendment (Freedom of the Press)

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review, empowering courts to declare laws unconstitutional. Amendment: Supremacy Clause (supreme court has the utmost power to declare laws unconstitutional- Not directly tied to an amendment but the principle of judicial review)

Plessy v. Ferguson

Established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, allowing racial segregation. Amendment: 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)

McDonald v. Chicago

The Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment's incorporation doctrine, protecting the right to bear arms. Amendment: 2nd Amendment (Right to Keep and Bear Arms), 14th Amendment (Incorporation Doctrine)

Engel v. Vitale

Public school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment. Amendment: 1st Amendment (Establishment Clause)

U.S. v. Lopez

The Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's power under the Commerce Clause and was unconstitutional. Amendment: Commerce Clause, 10th Amendment (powers not delegated to the federal govt are reserved for the states)

Schenck v. United States

Speech can be limited ('shanked') if it presents a 'clear and present danger' to national security or public safety. Amendment: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

Obergefell v. Hodges

Same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, legalizing it nationwide. Amendment: 14th Amendment (Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses)

Miller v. California

Created the Miller Test to determine whether material is obscene and unprotected by the 1st Amendment. Amendment: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

Korematsu v. U.S.

Upheld the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II as a wartime necessity. Amendment: 5th Amendment (Due Process of law - life liberty property cant be taken away without due process of law)

Gitlow v. New York

The First Amendment applies to state governments through the 14th Amendment's incorporation doctrine, but speech can be limited if it incites danger. Amendment: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech), 14th Amendment (Incorporation Doctrine)

Gideon v. Wainwright

The 6th Amendment guarantees the right to counsel for all defendants in criminal cases, applied to the states through the 14th Amendment. Amendment: 6th Amendment (Right to Counsel), 14th Amendment (Incorporation Doctrine)

Miranda v. Arizona

Suspects must be informed of their rights (Miranda Rights) before being questioned in police custody.

5th Amendment (Right Against Self-Incrimination), Sixth Amendment (Right to Counsel)

Brown v. Board of Education

Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional because 'separate but equal' facilities are inherently unequal.

Amendment: 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)

University of California v. Bakke

The use of racial quotas in admissions is unconstitutional, but race can be considered as one factor in a holistic admissions process.

Amendment: 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)

Griswold v. Connecticut

The right to privacy of married couples is implied by several amendments, including the right to marital privacy regarding contraception.

Amendment: 4th Amendment (right to privacy), 9th Amendment (other rights are given besides what is listed), 14th (Due process, incorporation doctrine)

Roe v. Wade

A woman's right to choose an abortion is protected by the constitutional right to privacy.

Amendment: 14th Amendment (Due Process Clause + incorporation doctrine), 4th (Personal privacy)

Texas v. Johnson

Flag burning is a form of symbolic speech.

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

Tinker v. Des Moines

Students have the right to free speech in public schools as long as it does not disrupt the educational environment.

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech)

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish families have the right to refuse sending their children to public school beyond eighth grade.

Amendment: 1st Amendment (Free Exercise of Religion)

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right of people to own and carry weapons.

4th Amendment

Protects people from unreasonable searches and requires law enforcement to have a warrant based on probable cause.

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and ensures due process of law.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, impartial jury, and right to a lawyer in criminal cases.

8th Amendment

Protects against cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail and fines.

9th Amendment

States that the rights listed in the Constitution are not the only rights people have.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to all born in the US, ensures equal protection under the law, and guarantees due process for all citizens.

15th Amendment

Gives the right to vote to all male citizens, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections, ensuring that the right to vote cannot be denied due to failure to pay a tax.