UNIT 5 - SCOTUS cases: civil rights - civil liberties

New York Times V U.S.: 1st amendment - freedom of the press clause
facts: The U.S. government attempted to stop The New York Times from publishing classified documents about U.S. involvement in Vietnam—arguing national security risks.

holding: the government failed to justify prior restraint, and upholding freedom of the press in the 1st amendment, allowing The New York Times to publish the documents.

Tinker V Des Moines: 1st amendment - freedom of speech clause
facts: students in Des Moines, Iowa, wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War and were suspended for violating a school policy banning armbands.

holding: the school violated the students' First Amendment rights, and upheld freedom of speech, stating that students can excercise freedom of speech as long theres no disruption of learning.

Wisconsin v Yoder: 1st amendment - free excercise clause

facts: Amish parents were fined for refusing to send their children to school past eighth grade due to Wisconsin’s law of students having to be in school till at least 16.

holding: Wisconsin’s compulsory education law violated the First Amendment by forcing Amish children to attend school past eighth grade, as it interfered with their religious beliefs and they’re allowed to excercise those beliefs.

Engle v Vitale: 1st amendment - establishment clause

facts: New York Schools had a daily prayer at public schools that was optional but parents of students believed this was an endorsement of religion in schools and violated 1st amendment.

holding:The school sponsored prayer was unconstitutional because it was promoting religion in schools and violated the establishment clause

Schneck V U.S.: 1st amendment - freedom of speech clause

facts: Charles Schenck was arrested for distributing pamphlets urging resistance to the draft during World War I, but was convicted for violated the Espionage Act.

holding: Schneck’s actions posed clear and present danger to national security and violated the 1st amendment.

Gideon V Wainright: 6th amendment (rights to fair and speedy trial, an impartial jury, and a lawyer) right to counsel clause.

facts:Gideon was refused an attorney after being convicted for a felony because his case wasn’t a capital case. He ultimately represented himself and argued his 6th amendment rights were violated

holding: the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to an attorney for all criminal defendants, and states are required to provide one if the defendant cannot afford it.

Mcdonald v Chicago: 2nd amendment, due process clause

Otis McDonald and other Chicago residents wanted handguns for self-defense but Chicago banned handguns to combat crime, so they argued that their 2nd amendment rights were violated

holding: the Second Amendment right to bear arms applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause, striking down Chicago's handgun ban.

Brown V Board: 14th amendment, equal protection clause

Linda Brown, a black student, wanted to attend a school closer to her house but wasn’t allowed to because it was a white only school so the brown family argued it violated the constitution.

holding:racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, stating that "separate but equal" facilities violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.