SCOTUS Key Cases

What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) rule?

It ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment

Which previous case did Brown v. Board of Education overturn?

It overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

What was the vote split in Brown v. Board?

It was a unanimous 9–0 decision

Who was the Chief Justice in Brown v. Board?

Chief Justice Earl Warren

Was Brown v. Board an example of judicial activism or restraint?

Judicial activism — the Court expanded equality rights and reshaped social policy

How did Brown v. Board show the importance of leadership?

Warren deliberately sought unanimity to give moral and political strength to desegregation

Which ideology did the Warren Court generally follow?

Liberal judicial activism

What was the main issue in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

Whether police must inform suspects of their constitutional rights during interrogation

What rights were established by Miranda v. Arizona?

The right to remain silent and to legal counsel — known as the Miranda Rights

Which amendments did Miranda v. Arizona rely on?

The 5th Amendment (self-incrimination) and 6th Amendment (right to counsel)

What was the vote split in Miranda v. Arizona?

5–4

Who was the Chief Justice in Miranda v. Arizona?

Chief Justice Earl Warren

Who was the swing justice in Miranda v. Arizona?

Justice Potter Stewart

Was Miranda v. Arizona an activist or restrained decision?

Activist — it expanded rights of the accused and limited police powers

What was Roe v. Wade (1973) about?

Whether the Constitution protects a woman’s right to have an abortion

Which clause did Roe v. Wade use to justify abortion rights?

The Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment — interpreted as a right to privacy

What was the vote split in Roe v. Wade?

7–2

Who was the Chief Justice in Roe v. Wade?

Chief Justice Warren E. Burger

Who were the dissenting justices in Roe v. Wade?

Byron White and William Rehnquist

Was Roe v. Wade activist or restrained?

Judicial activism — it discovered new rights not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution

Which justice wrote the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade?

Justice Harry Blackmun

What was United States v. Nixon (1974) about?

Whether the President could claim absolute executive privilege to withhold evidence

What did the Court rule in United States v. Nixon?

Executive privilege is limited and cannot obstruct justice

What was the vote split in United States v. Nixon?

8–0 (Justice Rehnquist recused himself)

Who was the Chief Justice in United States v. Nixon?

Chief Justice Warren E. Burger

Was United States v. Nixon activist or restrained?

Restraint toward executive power

How did United States v. Nixon demonstrate judicial independence?

It forced the President to comply with the law

What was at issue in Texas v. Johnson (1989)?

Whether flag burning was protected free speech under the First Amendment

What was the vote split in Texas v. Johnson?

5–4

Who was the Chief Justice in Texas v. Johnson?

Chief Justice William Rehnquist

Who was the swing justice in Texas v. Johnson?

Justice Anthony Kennedy — his vote decided the case

Was Texas v. Johnson activist or restrained?

Judicial activism — the Court expanded free expression despite public opposition

Who wrote the majority opinion in Texas v. Johnson?

Justice William J. Brennan

What was the dispute in Bush v. Gore (2000)?

Whether Florida’s recount violated the Equal Protection Clause

What was the vote split in Bush v. Gore?

5–4

Who was the Chief Justice in Bush v. Gore?

Chief Justice William Rehnquist

Who were the swing justices in Bush v. Gore?

The conservative majority — Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy provided key votes

Was Bush v. Gore activist or restrained?

Judicial activism — the Court intervened in a political process

What effect did Bush v. Gore have on perceptions of the Court?

It was seen as partisan and politically motivated

What issue did District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) address?

Whether the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to own firearms

What was the vote split in District of Columbia v. Heller?

5–4

Who was the Chief Justice in District of Columbia v. Heller?

Chief Justice John G. Roberts

Who was the swing justice in District of Columbia v. Heller?

Justice Anthony Kennedy — he sided with the conservative majority

Was Heller activist or restrained?

Activist — it reinterpreted the Second Amendment beyond militia service to individual rights

Who wrote the majority opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller?

Justice Antonin Scalia

What was the issue in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)?

Whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry

What was the vote split in Obergefell v. Hodges?

5–4

Who was the Chief Justice in Obergefell v. Hodges?

Chief Justice John G. Roberts

Who was the swing justice in Obergefell v. Hodges?

Justice Anthony Kennedy — he joined the liberal justices to form the majority

Was Obergefell v. Hodges activist or restrained?

Judicial activism — it expanded marriage rights through interpretation of the 14th Amendment

Which clauses were central in Obergefell v. Hodges?

The Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment

What was at issue in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)?

Whether states could ban abortion before fetal viability

What did Dobbs v. Jackson decide?

It overturned Roe v. Wade and Casey

What was the vote split in Dobbs v. Jackson?

6–3

Who was the Chief Justice in Dobbs v. Jackson?

Chief Justice John G. Roberts

Who were the key swing or concurring justices in Dobbs?

Roberts concurred separately — supporting the Mississippi law but not fully overturning Roe

Was Dobbs v. Jackson activist or restrained?

Judicial restraint — it limited federal judicial power and emphasised originalist interpretation

What broader shift did Dobbs represent?

A conservative turn on the Roberts Court