Government Unit 3 (All Notes)

Engel v. Vitale

A landmark case where the Supreme Court ruled that school-led prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Texas v. Johnson

Supreme Court case that protected flag burning as symbolic speech under the First Amendment.

Brandenburg v. Ohio

Supreme Court ruling that speech advocating violence is protected unless it incites imminent lawless action.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Supreme Court decision ensuring the right to counsel for all defendants in criminal cases under the 6th Amendment.

New Jersey v. T.L.O.

Supreme Court ruling that school searches are permissible with reasonable suspicion.

Miranda v. Arizona

Case requiring police to inform suspects of their rights during interrogation, leading to the establishment of Miranda Rights.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case establishing federal supremacy and the implied powers of Congress.

Furman v. Georgia

Case that struck down the arbitrary application of the death penalty, ruling it unconstitutional under the 8th Amendment.

Roe v. Wade

Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion based on the right to privacy under the 14th Amendment.

Miller v. California

Established the Miller Test for determining obscenity, limiting First Amendment protection.

Vernonia v. Acton

Supreme Court ruling upholding the constitutionality of random drug testing for student-athletes.

Mapp v. Ohio

Supreme Court decision applying the Exclusionary Rule to states, making illegally obtained evidence inadmissible in state courts.

Korematsu v. United States

Case that upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, justified as a security measure.

Brown v. Board of Education

Landmark Supreme Court decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Schenck v. United States

Ruling that allowed speech posing a 'clear and present danger' to be restricted.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court case that established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, later overturned by Brown v. Board.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Supreme Court ruling allowing Amish parents to withdraw their children from public school after 8th grade.

University of CA v. Bakke

Supreme Court decision affirming that race could be considered in college admissions but not as the sole criterion.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org.

Recent ruling that eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, allowing states to decide.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Supreme Court ruling protecting students' right to free speech in public schools through symbolic speech.

Free Exercise Clause

Part of the Constitution that protects the right to practice religion freely, with certain limitations.

Establishment Clause

Constitutional clause that prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing a religion.

Exclusionary Rule

Legal principle that prevents the admissibility of illegally obtained evidence in court.

Seditious Speech

Speech advocating for the overthrow of the government, protected unless it incites imminent lawless action.

Due Process Clause

constitutional guarantee, set out in the 5^th and 14^th amendment to the Constitution and in every state that government will not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property (pursuit of happiness) by any unfair, arbitrary, or unreasonable action, and that government must act in accord with established rules.

Prior Restraint

Government action that prohibits speech or other expression before it takes place; generally unconstitutional.

Double Jeopardy

5th Amendment protection against being tried for the same crime twice.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected from government interference.

Civil Rights

Positive government actions to prevent discrimination and promote equality.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee individual rights.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.

14th Amendment

Grants equal protection under the law and prohibits states from denying due process.

15th Amendment

Prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race.

1st Amendment

Protects the freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Recognizes the right to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants to be judicially sanctioned.

5th Amendment

Guarantees the right to due process, prohibits self-incrimination, and protects against double jeopardy.

6th Amendment

Ensures the right to a fair and speedy trial, an impartial jury, and the right to counsel.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to jury trials in civil cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Affirms that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.