Marbury v. Madison: Established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.
McCulloch v. Maryland: Strengthened federal power by ruling that Congress has implied powers and states can't tax the federal government.
United States v. Lopez: Limited Congress’s use of the commerce clause; ruled that carrying a gun in a school zone is not economic activity.
Engel v. Vitale: School-led prayer violates the Establishment Clause; government cannot promote religion in public schools.
Wisconsin v. Yoder: Protected religious freedom by allowing Amish families to take their children out of school after 8th grade.
Tinker v. Des Moines: Students have free speech rights in school as long as it doesn’t disrupt learning; symbolic speech is protected.
NYT v. United States: Government can't use prior restraint to stop the press unless it causes a clear danger; protected press freedom.
Schenck v. United States: Speech can be limited if it presents a "clear and present danger," especially during wartime.
Gideon v. Wainwright: States must provide an attorney to defendants who can't afford one in criminal cases (6th Amendment).
Shaw v. Reno: Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional; redistricting based solely on race violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
McDonald v. Chicago: Incorporated the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms to the states through the 14th Amendment.
Brown v. Board: Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional; overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.
Citizens United v. FEC: Corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political ads; political spending is free speech.
Baker v. Carr (1962): Allowed federal courts to hear redistricting cases; established “one person, one vote” principle.