AP Gov Required Court Cases

Brown vs. Board (1954)

14th amendment: equal protection clause
Supreme Court decision that overturned the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision (1896)

Citizens United vs. FEC (2010)

McCain-Feingold act: Law banning any corporation or union from paying for ads naming a candidate close to the election
1st amendement: free speech
Companies are people too and have the right to free speech

Engel vs. Vitale (1962)

1st amendment - establishment clause (no law can be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of)
Case that said organized prayer is unconstitutional in school.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

6th amendment: right to representation
5th and 14th amendment: no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process
Counsel must be provided in felony cases

Marbury vs. Madison (1803)

Article III, Section 2, Clause 2: Supreme court has original jurisdiction in cases affecting ambassadors, ministers, and consuls
Established judicial review
Judiciary acts of 1789 and 1803: Congress's restructuring of courts

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Necessary and Proper Clause: Congress shall have power to make laws with powers vested to them by the constitution
Supremacy Clause: Federal law is supreme
10th amendment: States have all power given not give to the federal government
The Supreme Court upheld the power of the national government and denied the right of a state to tax the federal bank

McDonald vs. City of Chicago (2010)

14th amendment applies to gun rights (2nd amendment): no state shall apply any law that abridges the privileges of its citizens (selective incorporation)

New York Times vs. Us

1st amendment: free press
Limited the governments "prior restraint" of the press and can't silence the press preemptively

Roe vs. Wade (1973)

9th amendment: rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people
14th amendment: no state shall enforce a law that abridges the privileges of citizens (due process and equal protection)
1st, 4th, and 5th: general privacy rights

Schenck vs. US (1919)

1st amendment: free speech
Speech can be limited if there is a "clear and present danger"

Shaw vs. Reno (1993)

14th amendment: equal protection clause
15th amendment: right to vote cannot be abridged on the basis of race, color, etc.
Race cannot be the sole reason for drawing district lines.

Tinker Vs. Des Moines (1969)

1st amendment: free speech
Students retain their constitutional right to freedom of speech even in public schools

US vs. Lopez (1995)

Commerce Clause
Necessary and Proper Clause
Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Wisconsin vs. Yoder (1972)

14th amendment: equal protection and due process
1st amendment: free exercise clause
Amish children can leave public schools after the 8th grade. States interests don't outweigh the religious rights of the Amish.

Baker vs. Carr (1962)

Article III, Section 2: Judicial power shall extend to all cases under the constitution, laws, and treaties
14th amendement: unequal districts = unequal protection (equal protection clause)
Courts have authority over political Matters