Unit 3 AP GOV Supreme Court Cases

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

-Supreme Court decision that said that state officials violated 1st Amendment when they forced a prayer to be said in NY public school

-FRQ PROMPT

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

compelling Amish Students to attend school past 8th grade violates the free exercise clause of the 1st Amendment

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

students were suspended for wearing black arm bands in protest of Vietnam War. Court ruled that this type of protest was legal and that students don't lose their constitutional rights at school doors

Schenck v. US (1919)

courts ruled that government can limit free speech if it provokes a clear and present danger of "substantive evils"

NY Times Co v. US (1971)

government can rarely use prior restraint (judicial suppression of material that would be published or broadcast, on the grounds that is libelous or harmful). Protected freedom of the Press. Ellisberg leaked confidential info about Vietnam War (Pentagon Papers)

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

supported an individual's 2nd Amendment right by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment and this applies to states

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Roe, a Texas resident, sought to terminate her pregnancy by abortion. Texas law prohibited abortions except to save the pregnant woman's life. After granting certiorari, the Court heard arguments twice. The first time, Roe's attorney -- Sarah Weddington -- could not locate the constitutional hook of her argument for Justice Potter Stewart. Her opponent -- Jay Floyd -- misfired from the start. Weddington sharpened her constitutional argument in the second round. Her new opponent -- Robert Flowers -- came under strong questioning from Justices Potter Stewart and Thurgood Marshall.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Clarence Earl Gideon was charged in Florida state court with felony breaking and entering. When he appeared in court without a lawyer, Gideon requested that the court appoint one for him. According to Florida state law, however, an attorney may only be appointed to an indigent defendant in capital cases, so the trial court did not appoint one. Gideon represented himself in trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. Gideon filed a habeas corpus petition in the Florida Supreme Court, arguing that the trial court's decision violated his constitutional right to be represented by counsel. The Florida Supreme Court denied habeas corpus relief.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

After its decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (Brown I), which declared racial discrimination in public education unconstitutional, the Court convened to issue the directives which would help to implement its newly announced constitutional principle. The cases stemmed from many different regions of the United States with distinctive conditions and problems.