Chapter 20 Supreme Court Cases Flashcards
Pierce v. Society of sisters, 1925
Oregon passed a law requiring all the kids to attend public schools in an attempt to eliminate parochial schools. The Supreme Court ruled against the law because it goes against the First Amendment, the law must be fair and equal.
Rochin v. California 1952
Three police officers entered the house without without a search warrant and found two capsules that were quickly consumed by the defendant before they could analyze the capsules. The officers tried to force the capsules out of the defendant and got his stomach pumped. The capsules turned out to be morphine and he was arrested. And the Supreme Court ruled in his favor as this was a violation of the First Amendment, it was against procedure of carrying out laws.
Schmerber v. California,1966
A drunk driver was blood tested, even when he stated refusal and was arrested. The defendant sued the state due to the violation of the fourth amendment (search and seizure) and the fifth amendment (testify against yourself). The state found him guilty because there was probable cause and also the compelling interest; protect citizens from drunk drivers.
Griswold v. Connecticut, 1965
Law was passed making contraceptives illegal. A doctor, Griswold, was arrested for distributing them. At the Supreme Court level they ruled in favor of Griswold as it violated your right to privacy in the marital bedroom.
Roe v. Wade,1973
Jane Roe (McCorvey) wanted to get an abortion which was illegal in Texas unless the pregnancy was due to incest or rape. At the Supreme Court level it ruled in her favor because it violated the right of privacy in the due process clause of the 14th amendment. Abortion is legal if it’s done before the first trimester.
United States v. Miller, 1939
Jack Miller and Frank Layton were transporting firearms over the state line. They were caught and won at the state court. Supreme Court ruled against them; the right to bear arms are limited. (This did not fall under right to form militia or protection for an individual).
Mapp v. Ohio, 1961
Mapp what thought to be withholding someone and refused entry. Court ruled in favor of Mapp saying the evidence obtained was illegal, as well as a violation of the fourth amendment.
United States v. Leon, 1984
Officers who were carrying out a drug bust thought they were using a proper warrant, but later was found faulty. The court upheld their actions nonetheless; “When an officer acting with objective good faith has obtained a search warrant and acted within scope- nothing can deter.”
Miranda v. Arizona, 1866
Ernesto Miranda kidnapped and raped a girl. He signed a confession but was not told his rights. State level found Miranda guilty, but at the Supreme Court level they voted in favor of Miranda because he was not told his rights.
Furman v. Georgia, 1972
A man robbed a house and when escaping being caught his gun went off accidentally and killed a resident. At state level he was found guilty and given the death sentence. At the Supreme Court they voted in his favor because the death sentence was racially biased.
Wyoming v. Houghton, 1999
Sandra Houghton was driving and a police man saw her with a syringe. He searched her car and arrested her. Sandra felt that this was a violation of the fourth amendment (illegal search and seizure). At state level they ruled in Sandra’s favor, but at Supreme Court level they ruled with the police man because he had probable cause.
Nix v. Williams,1984
A mental patient raped and killed a 10 yr old girl. The defendant claimed evidence against him had been only found after his confession was illegally obtained. The court ruled against the defendant as evidence of where the body was buried would inevitably be found.
Taylor v. Louisiana, 1975
Taylor kidnapped and raped a young women. At court he argued that it was unfair that the jury was exclusively males. At Supreme Court he was still found guilty, but it was established that you can’t deny a person of jury duty because of their race, religion, or gender.
Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963
Gideon committed robbery but wasn’t caught. The police assumed it was him and charged him. Gideon was forced to represent himself in court because he didn’t have the funds to hire someone and you only got a free lawyer if you received the death sentence. This case caused the Supreme Court to decide that every individual with the threat of jail had a right to a free lawyer if they couldn’t afford one.
Stack v. Boyle, 1951
Communists were thought to be conspiring against the government which was a violation of the Smith Act. Despite the abscence of violence the group was arrested and charged with a bail of $50,000. The group appealed saying this was excessive bail. The Supreme Court agreed with them ruling that it violated the 8th amendment.
