1st Amendment Cases

Schenck vs. US

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1919 that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for distributing pamphlets urging draft resistance during World War I, establishing the "clear and present danger" standard for limiting free speech.

Texas vs. Johnson

A Supreme Court case from 1989 that protected the right to burn the American flag as a form of free speech under the First Amendment, ruling that the state's action violated the principle of free expression.

B.L. vs. Mahanoy

A Supreme Court case from 2021 that addressed the limits of student speech, ruling that a high school student could not be punished for a Snapchat post made off-campus that criticized the school's cheerleading team.

Hazelwood vs. Khulmeier

A 1988 Supreme Court case that upheld the authority of public school officials to censor school newspapers and other student expression if it conflicts with the educational mission, establishing limits on student free speech in school-sponsored activities.

Tinker vs. Des Moines

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1969 that affirmed students' rights to free speech in public schools, ruling that students could wear armbands in protest of the Vietnam War as long as it did not disrupt school operations.

Kowalski vs. Berkeley

A 2011 Supreme Court case that addressed student speech, affirming that schools could discipline a student for online speech that creates a hostile environment and disrupts the learning process.

Wallace vs. Jaffree

A 1985 Supreme Court case that struck down a Alabama law permitting voluntary school prayer, ruling it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Santa Fe vs. Doe

A 2000 Supreme Court case that ruled student-led prayers at school-sponsored events violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, as they promote religion in a public school setting.

New York Times vs. US

A 1971 Supreme Court case that upheld the freedom of the press by allowing the New York Times to publish the Pentagon Papers, ruling that prior restraint was unconstitutional.