REQUIRED S.C. CASES

Marbury v. Madison

(1803) Established judicial review, allowing courts to strike down laws as unconstitutional. Article III.

McCulloch v. Maryland

(1819) Established principle of federal supremacy over state laws. Upheld the constitutionality of the national bank. Created Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause, Article I.

Schenck v. the United States

(1919) Must have "clear and present danger" to limit free speech. Upheld conviction for distributing anti-draft materials during WWI. Free Speech Clause; 1st Amend.

Brown v. Board of Education

(1954) Declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson's "separate but equal" doctrine. Equal Protection Clause; 14th Amend.

Engel v. Vitale

(1962) Ruled school-sponsored prayer in public schools unconstitutional, violating the Establishment Clause; 1st Amendment.

Baker v. Carr

(1962) Established "one person, one vote" principle, requiring legislative districts to have equal populations for fair representation. Equal Protection Clause; 14th Amend.

Gideon v. Wainwright

(1963) Ruled that all defendants have the right to an attorney, even if they can't afford one. Right to Counsel Clause; 6th Amend.

Tinker v. Des Moines

(1969) Established students' rights in schools, allowing symbolic speech unless it causes substantial disruption. Free Speech Clause; 1st Amend.

New York Times Co. v. US

(1971) Ruling against prior restraint, allowing the publication of the Pentagon Papers, protecting freedom of the press. Free Press Clause; 1st Amend.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

(1972) Supreme Court ruled that Amish parents can exempt their children from compulsory education past 8th grade due to religious beliefs. Free Exercise Clause; First Amend.

Roe v. Wade

(1973) Legalized abortion in U.S., establishing a woman's right to choose within certain restrictions based on the trimester of pregnancy. Due Process Clause; 14th Amend.

Shaw v. Reno

(1993) Ruled racial gerrymandering in redistricting unconstitutional. Equal Protection Clause; 14th Amend.

United States v. Lopez

(1995) Limited Congress' power by ruling the Gun-Free School Zones Act unconstitutional for exceeding federal authority. Commerce Clause; Article I.

McDonald v. Chicago

(2010) Ruled that the 2nd Amend. applies to states and protects an individual's right to bear arms for self-defense.

Citizens United v. FEC (Federal Election Commission)

(2010) Ruled corporations & unions can spend unlimited funds in elections, equating money with free speech. Free Speech Clause; 1st Amend.