Required Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Thomas Jefferson ordered his secretary of state(Madison) to not deliver paperwork to judges in order to prevent other party from taking office. Marbury (one of the judges) sued, asking Court to issue writ of mandamus that would require it.

Court ruled Marbury entitled to commission, but that Court doesn’t have authority to require it’s delivery because it isn’t said in Constitution (& conflicted with Judiciary Act about writ of mandamus). This established Constitution’s superiority & judicial review.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

In a New York school, a non-required prayer was held daily. Jewish families (Engel) sued, arguing this violated establishment clause, as it favors one religion and coerces children into it. Vitale responded by arguing that the prayer is not mandatory.

Engel won. The Court ruled school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional by violating the 1st amendment because it is religion enforced by government program & opposed other religions.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Wisconsin convicted Amish for removing kids from school, arguing school laws apply to all. Yoder argued they provide additional education & should have free exercise and religious liberty.

Yoder won. Court argued forcing school destroys free exercise of beliefs, especially without due process.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students in Iowa showed opposition to Vietnam with armbands and the schools sent them home for going against the ban. Tinker argued wearing armbands didn’t infringe anyone’s rights & public schools protected their free speech. Des Moines argued free speech is not absolute.

Tinker won. The court ruled that armbands are a form of speech that is protected in schools, but can be limited at times if infringing rights.

Schenck v. U.S. (1919)

During WW1, Espionage Act made it a crime to disobey/prevent military drafting. Schenck made anti-draft fliers and was convicted. Schenck argued it was his free speech & was only calling on others to use theirs. U.S. argued he had clear intent that violated the Act.

U.S. won. Court ruled that when speech presents clear & present danger, it is not protected.

New York Times v. U.S. (1971)

A man illegally copied the Pentagon Papers (showing bad U.S. involvement in Vietnam War) which were leaked to the New York Times where some were published. US sued newspaper for violating Espionage Act (bc it put US in danger) and said papers were illegal, but NYT argued it was freedom of the press & secrecy in gov. is bad.

NYT won. Court ruled limiting free speech is unconstitutional and Court can’t direct news publications.

District of Columbia v. Heller

DC placed gun control laws (handgun ban), Heller argued this violated his right to bear arms. Led to question about 2nd amendment interpretation with well-regulated militia.

Heller won. Court struck down DC’s handgun ban, saying 2nd amendment preserved individual gun ownership but reasonable regulations still allowed.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Gideon was arrested but got denied request for lawyer bc he couldn’t afford one. Gideon sued, arguing 6th/14th amendment don’t distinguish between case types. Wainwright said counsel is not required in non-death penalty cases.

Gideon won. Court overtunred part of Betts v Brady (one abt. death penalty), saying right to counsel (6) is fundamental and applied to states (14)

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

In Plessy v. Ferguson, the Court had ruled segregation constitutional using the “separate but equal” justification. When Linda Brown tried to attend white school and was denied, her family sued. Brown argued 14th amendment gives equal protection, Board argued equal not same treatment.

Brown won. Court ruled segregation inherently unequal & violating the 14th amendment.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

When 2nd nat. bank opened, Maryland forced it to pay a tax and McCulloch refused. Maryland sued, saying Congress has no pwr to create nat. bank. McCulloch said it was necessary & proper implied power & nat. gov supremacy over states makes tax invalid.

McCulloch won. Court ruled national bank necessary & proper & Maryland can’t tax Bank of the U.S., reinforcing supremacy

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Congress passed the Gun Free School Zone Act. When Lopez was convicted for gun on school property, he said Congress had no right to make GFSZA. U.S. said they could bc impacts commerce clause, Lopez responded not related to commerce.

Lopez won. Court ruled gun isn’t economic activity under commerce clause and gov has limited powers

McDonald v. Chicago

Chicago placed handgun regulations, McDonald sued, saying it violated 14th amendment because the right to bear arms applies to the state level. Chicago argued this right isn’t absolute & regulations should be allowed.

McDonald won. The court ruled 2nd amendment fully applicable to state level under 14th amendment.

Baker v. Carr

Tennessee hadn’t changed voting districts despite population changes. Baker sued, saying he was denied equal representation and courts should do something but Carr said it was a political question courts can’t decide.

Baker won. Courts ruled they do have authority over legislative districts if they don’t follow 14th amendment equal protection.