Key Supreme Court Cases: Judicial Review, Civil Rights, and Federal Power

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Court couldn't force delivery, but struck down part of the Judiciary Act. Established judicial review — the Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

States cannot tax federal entities; Congress has implied powers to create the bank. Necessary & Proper Clause + Supremacy Clause — federal power trumps state interference.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Struck down — gun possession in a school zone is not economic activity affecting interstate commerce. Limits of the Commerce Clause; Congress can't regulate purely local, non-economic activity.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Courts can rule on redistricting — it's a justiciable issue. 'One person, one vote' — 14th Amendment Equal Protection applies to legislative apportionment.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Racial gerrymandering must pass strict scrutiny — race can't be the only factor. Equal Protection cuts both ways; racial gerrymandering is suspect even when intended to help minorities.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Unanimous — racial segregation in public schools is inherently unequal. Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson; 14th Amendment Equal Protection prohibits state-imposed segregation.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Even voluntary school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause. Government cannot sponsor or endorse religion — separation of church and state.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Parents won — religious freedom outweighed the state's interest in compulsory education. Free Exercise Clause — government needs a compelling reason to override sincere religious practice.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students won — wearing armbands is protected symbolic speech. Students don't shed constitutional rights at school; speech only loses protection if it causes 'substantial disruption.'

NY Times Co. v. U.S. (1971)

Press won — government failed to prove an immediate threat justifying prior restraint. Prior restraint is presumptively unconstitutional; government faces a heavy burden to suppress publication.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919)

Schenck lost — conviction upheld. 'Clear and present danger' test — speech can be limited when it poses an immediate threat to public safety.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Corporate/union independent political spending cannot be limited. Political spending is protected speech (1st Amendment); led to the rise of Super PACs.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

States must provide counsel to defendants who can't afford one. Selective incorporation — 6th Amendment right to counsel applies to states via 14th Amendment Due Process Clause.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Handgun ban struck down — 2nd Amendment applies to states. Selective incorporation — 14th Amendment applies the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms to state and local governments.