Ap Gov

Marbury v. Madison

1803 Clause: Article III, Judicial Power. Facts: William Marbury sued James Madison for refusing to deliver his judicial commission. Majority Opinion: Established judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819 Clauses: Necessary and Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause. Facts: Maryland tried to tax the national bank. Majority Opinion: Congress has implied powers, and states cannot tax constitutional federal institutions.

United States v. Lopez

1995 Clause: Commerce Clause. Facts: A student brought a gun to school and was charged under a federal law. Majority Opinion: Congress exceeded its commerce power because gun possession near schools was not sufficiently connected to interstate commerce.

Engel v. Vitale ()

1962 Amendment: First Amendment, Establishment Clause. Facts: New York public schools encouraged a government-written prayer. Majority Opinion: Government-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, even if voluntary.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

1972 Amendment: First Amendment, Free Exercise Clause. Facts: Amish parents refused to send their children to high school because of religious beliefs. Majority Opinion: Requiring attendance beyond eighth grade violated their religious freedom in these circumstances.

Tinker v. Des Moines ()

1969 Amendment: First Amendment, Freedom of Speech. Facts: Students wore black armbands protesting the Vietnam War and were suspended. Majority Opinion: Students have free speech rights unless their expression substantially disrupts school.

New York Times Co. v. United States ()

1971 Amendment: First Amendment, Freedom of the Press. Facts: The government tried to stop newspapers from publishing the Pentagon Papers about the Vietnam War. Majority Opinion: The government failed to justify prior restraint on publication.

Schenck v. United States

1919 Amendment: First Amendment, Freedom of Speech. Facts: Schenck distributed leaflets opposing the World War I draft. Majority Opinion: Upheld his conviction under the clear and present danger test, which was later replaced.

Gideon v. Wainwright

1963 Amendments: Sixth Amendment, Right to Counsel; Fourteenth Amendment, Due Process. Facts: Gideon was denied a court-appointed lawyer because he could not afford one. Majority Opinion: States must provide lawyers to defendants who cannot afford them in felony criminal cases.

McDonald v. Chicago

2010 Amendments: Second Amendment, Right to Bear Arms; Fourteenth Amendment, Due Process. Facts: McDonald challenged Chicago's handgun ban. Majority Opinion: The Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.