Constitutional Amendments and Landmark Court Cases

Vocabulary flashcards covering key Constitutional Amendments, landmark and modern court cases, legal arguments, and foundational legal terminology.

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition.

2nd Amendment

States that a well regulated Militia is necessary to the security of a free State, and protects the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes.

4th Amendment

Provides protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

5th Amendment

Protects the right to remain silent, prevents double jeopardy, and guarantees the right to due process.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy trial by jury and representation by an attorney for an accused person.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury in civil trials.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel or unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Establishes that the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10th Amendment

Provides that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

14th Amendment

Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws.

Brown vs. Board of Education (1954)

Supreme Court decision that declared state laws segregating schools to be unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Supreme Court decision that ruled a person has a constitutional right to burn the American flag as symbolic political expression.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established the power of Judicial Review.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Originization

Supreme Court ruling that allows individual states to make their own rules regarding abortion.

Tinker vs. Des Moines (1969)

Supreme Court case ruling that students do not lose their freedom of speech rights in high school, protecting silent political protest such as wearing black armbands.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Supreme Court case that struck down state bans on same-sex marriage, ruling that the 14th Amendment requires states to license and recognize same-sex marriages.

Crowther v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

A 14th Amendment case where former coaches argue they should be permitted to sue universities for monetary damages under Title IX over alleged sex-based discrimination.

St Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy

A 1st Amendment case challenging a Colorado policy requiring preschool providers to adhere to a nondiscrimination policy to receive state funding, claiming an infringement on the free exercise of religion.

Viramontes v. Cook County

A 2nd Amendment case addressing whether ownership of semiautomatic rifles such as the AR-15 and AK-47 is constitutionally protected for self-defense.

Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota

A 10th Amendment case addressing state voter identification requirements and their compliance with federal voter protection statutes and the Voting Rights Act.

Kian v. Florida

A 6th Amendment case focusing on whether a criminal defendant is guaranteed a 12-person jury trial for a serious crime in a state that only provides 12-person juries in capital punishment cases.

Johnson v. United States Congress

A 5th Amendment Equal Protection case examining the legality of reducing monthly compensation for an incarcerated veteran jailed for 60 days under the VJRA.

Department of Labor v. Sun Valley Orchards LLC

An Article 3 case questioning whether the executive branch can administratively impose fines under the public rights exception or if such penalties require a trial by the judicial branch.

Guerrero v. Johnson

An 8th Amendment case evaluating whether updated medical standards regarding intellectual disability justify a new trial for an individual sentenced to death.

Exclusionary rule

Legal principle stating that improperly gathered evidence may not be introduced in a criminal trial.

Double jeopardy

The act of being tried twice for the exact same crime.

Subpoena

A court order requiring an individual's appearance and/or testimony.

Judicial review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional.

Precedent Court cases

A previous court decision that applies to a current legal issue.

Warrant

An issued order from a court that authorizes a search to take place.

Indictment

A formal charge issued by a grand jury.