required cases AP gov

McCulloch v. Maryland

In 1816, congress created a second bank of the US in Baltimore, Maryland and in response the state legislature of Maryland passed a tax a year on the banks. McCulloch (banker) refused to pay the tax. It ruled that the bank was unconstitutional Congress has the power to incorporate a national bank via implied powers under the necessary and proper clause, and states can’t tax the federal government. (Supremacy clause, necessary and proper clause)

United States v. Lopez

1992, 12th grader, Alfonso Lopez carried revolver into his HS. Lopez was charged with violating the federal gun-free school zones act of 1990. Lopez was first convicted in a federal district court, then the 3th circuit court of appeals reversed the conviction, ruling that the decision congress’s authority. The Gun-free zone act of 1990 was unconstitutional, holding that carrying a gun in a local school zone is not an economic issue that affects interstate commerce. Limits of federal authority.

Engel v. Vitale

Daily prayer was said over the loud speaker in a public high school. Engel, the parent of a student in the public school district, sued Vitale, the school board president, for that. It was decided that it violates the establishment clause, because the prayer was an endorsement of religion by the gov and put coercive pressure on religious minorities to conform to majority religious’s beliefs.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

The Yoders, Amish family, objected to a Wisconsin law that mandated school attendance until the 8th grade, but they didn’t send their kid to school because they lived in separate communities that were crucial in practicing their faith. Yoder won. Although the state has an important interest in education, the Amish community was threatened by the mandatory attendance law. (Free exercise clause)

Tinker v. Des Moines

John and Mary Beth Tinker wore arm bands to school to protest the Vietnam War. They were suspended under a rule that prohibited the wearing of armbands to school. The Tinkers won. The school district violated the plaintiffs free speech rights by suspending them. Schools may not ban speech unless it substantially disrupts class. The first amendment protects symbolic speech as applied to the states through the due process clause of the 14th amendment. (1st and 14th)

New York Times v. US

The US gov sought to prevent the New York times from publishing papers stolen from the Pentagon that were critical of the decision-making of officials during the Vietnam War. New York Times won. The gov doesn’t have the power to censor most material prior to publication. Freedom of press is a cornerstone of democracy, and the govs attempt to use prior restraint to prevent publication of the docs violated the guarantee of freedom of the press. (freedom of press, 1st amendment)

Schenk v. US

In 1917, Charles Schenk and Elizabeth Baer printed and distributed antiwar leaflets encouraging young men not to comply with the military draft. They were convicted under the espionage act of 1917, which makes it a crime to interfere with military recruiting. The US won, There are limits on free speech. Speech that presents a “clear and present danger” of posing an immediate/serious threat to national security is not protected by the 1st amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Gideon was charged with robbery and his request to have a lawyer appointed to him was denied. He was convicted. Gideon won. The sixth amendment requires that the gov provide attorneys for felony defendants who can’t afford one. The purpose of the 6th amendment is to safeguard a fair trial. A trial can’t be fair if doesn't have one. (Due process clause and 14th amendment)

McDonald v. Chicago

Chicago residents wanted to keep handguns in their homes for self-defense but were prohibited from doing so by Chicago’s firearms laws. McDonald won. The Second amendment now applies to state/local gov through the doctrine of selective incorporation. Held that 2nd amendment is fully applicable to states.

Baker v. Carr

Facts — Tennessee hadn’t redrawn its legislative districts since 1901, despite huge population shifts. Urban voters argued their votes were diluted because rural districts had far fewer people.
Holding — The Supreme Court said federal courts can hear Equal Protection challenges to state apportionment. Redistricting is justiciable, not a “political question.”
Clause/Amendment — 14th Amendment, Equal Protection Clause.

Shaw v. Reno

Facts — North Carolina created a bizarrely shaped, 160‑mile‑long majority‑Black district to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Residents sued, claiming it was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
Holding — The Court said the map raised a valid Equal Protection claim because its strange shape suggested race was the predominant factor. Racial gerrymandering triggers strict scrutiny.
Clause/Amendment — 14th Amendment, Equal Protection Clause.

Marbury v. Madison

In 1801, Federalist President John Adams appointed numerous “midnight judges” to secure political influence, but not all commissions were delivered before Jefferson took office. The court ruled that while Marbury was entitled to his commission, the Supreme Court lacked the authority to force its delivery bc the judiciary act of 1789 unconstitutional. This decision asserted the Supreme Court hold the authority to interpret the constitution. While William Marbury was entitled to his commission, the court lacked authority to force its delivery because the law enabling that action was unconstitutional. This established the power of judicial review.

Citizen United v. FEC

The nonprofit group produced a movie criticizing Hillary Clinton, intending to air within 30 days of 2008 democratic primary. The court held that the free speech clause of the first amendment applies to corps, meaning they can spend unlimited amounts on election advocacy as long as it’s not coordinated directly with campaigns. The 1st amendment prohibits the gov from restricting independent political expenditures by corps and unions. (First amendment)