these fucking required cases sending me
Engel v. Vitale
Freedom of Religion
Background: Every student was required to pray and salute the flag, and a Jewish family sued.
Holding: 6-1 in favor of Jewish family
Constitutional Principles: 1st amendment
Overall Claim: School sponsorship of religious activities violates the establishment clause
Wisconsin v. Yoder
Freedom of Religion
Background: Amish stopped formal education of their children. State said they must follow law, and children must attend until 16.
Holding: In favor of Amish families
Constitutional Principles: 1st amendment, 14th amendment
Overall Claim: Compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the free exercise clause
Schenck v. United States
Freedom of Speech
Background: Socialist sent 1500 flyers arguing the draft was unconstitutional
Holding: Unanimous for U.S
Constitutional Principles: 1st amendment, 13th amendment
Overall Claim: Speech creating a “clear and present danger”is not protected by the First Amendment
New York Time v. United States
Freedom of the Press
Background: Daniel Ellsberg sent classified reports to news sources, NYT and Washington post released them. Sued for national security
Holding: 6-3 holding in favor of NYT
Constitutional Principles: 1st amendment
Overall Claim: there is freedom of press, even in cases regarding national security, and courts don’t have the authority
Tinker v. Des Moines
Freedom of Speech
Background: Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam war, school bans them and suspends students
Holding: 7-2 in favor of Students
Constitutional Principles: 1st Amendment, 14th amendment
Overall Claim: Students can wear armbands to protest the Vietnam War
McDonald v. Chicago
Background: Chicago banned hand guns w/o registration, and Citizens sued because it violates the second amendment
Holding: Majority ruled in favor of citizens, claiming that a citizens right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right, protected by the states
Constitutional Principles: 2nd amendment, 14th amendment
Overall Claim: The 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states due to the 14th amendment
Gideon v. Wainwright
Background: Thief was denied a lawyer and sentenced to 5 years jail time. He studied law while in prison and discovered that their ruling could be considered unconstitutional.
Holding: Supreme court ruled unanimously for thief
Constitutional Principles: 6th amendment, 14th amendment
Overall Claim: Guaranteed legal counsel to the poor and indignant, but only in felony cases
Brown v. Board of Education
Background: Student wanted to attend a school closer to her home, but was denied because the school only taught white children
Holding: unanimously for students and their families
Constitutional Principles: 14th amendment, separate but equal clause, previous precedent
Overall Claim: the separate but equal act violates the 14th amendment