SCOTUS cases

Marbury v. Madison

Marbury sues Madison to petition to force delivery of his commission as a justice of the peace, leading to a landmark ruling on judicial review. Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Congress sets up national bank in Maryland, Maryland taxes bank in attempts to close it. Maryland sues McCulloch for refusing to pay national bank tax. McCulloch wins, establishes federal power over state power and Congress has implied powers (they are allowed to set up national bank.)

Schenk v. US

Schenk and Baer distributed pamphlets to resist military draft. Convicted under Espionage Act for attempting to obstruct military recruitment, Schenk sues for violation of freedom of speech, but loses. Established unprotected speech in “clear and present danger.”

Brown v. Board of Education

Black students denied admission to public schools under state laws permitting racial segregation (Plessy v. Ferguson). Brown and parents sued, arguing segregated schools violated 14th A. equal protection clause. Unanimously ruled against segregation in public schools.

Baker v. Carr

Tennessee ignored law to redraw legislative districts, growing urban areas left heavily underrepresented. Baker sued secretary of state Carr for “being denied equal protection” compared to rural districts. SC rules in favor of Baker, Tennessee and states have to redraw districts.

Engel v. Vitale

Group of parents (Engel) sued local school board Pres. Vitale over state-sponsored, voluntary prayer in New York Public schools, arguing it violated religious beliefs. Ruled in favor of parents for violating First Amendment establishment of religion clause.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Gideon was charged in Florida state court but couldn’t hire lawyer, requesting to be appointed one. Judge refused, Gideon had to represent himself, was found guilty. Petitioned SC over violation of 6th A. right to counsel and due process in state courts, not just federal courts. Ruled in favor of Gideon

Tinker v. Des Moines

Teenage students (Tinker) wore black armbands to school to protest Vietnam War. School suspended students for violating new policy against armbands. Parents sued for violation of first A. free speech. Ruled in favor of Tinker.

NYT v. US

Nixon administration tried to stop NYT and Washington Post for publishing classified papers about the Vietnam War, claiming national security risks. NYT refused, US sued NYT for violation of Espionage Act. Ruled in favor of the newspapers for freedom of press under the First A.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish parents (Yoder) refused to send teens to school, violating Wisconsin state law requiring attendance until 16 y/o. Argued high school contradicted religious beliefs, but Wisconsin prosecuted parents for not sending kids to school. SC ruled in favor of Yoder under Free Exercise Clause.

Shaw v. Reno

NC created majority-Black congressional district to increase Black representation. White voters (Shaw) sued, claiming racial gerrymandering and violation of 14th A. Equal Protection clause. SC ruled in favor of Shaw.

US v. Lopez

High school student Lopez carried concealed gvn to school. Charged under federal Gvn-free School Zones Act but appealed. State dropped the case but federal gov charged him saying gvns affected commerce. US asked SC to hear the case but Lopez won after arguing Congress overstepped power under Commerce Clause.

McDonald v. Chicago

McDonald and Chicago citizens sued over state’s near-total ban on handgvns, arguing violation of 14th A, saying 2nd A. applied to state and local governments. Ruled in favor of McDonald.

Citizens United v. FEC

Conservative non-profit was banned from airing movie critical of Hilary Clinton under a federal law restricting independent political spending by corporations. Citizens United sued FEC over violation of First A. free speech. SC ruled in favor of Citizens United.