Civil Rights and Liberties

Question 1

2014 Town of Greece v Galloway

Answer 1

In the 2014 Town of Greece v Galloway case, the Court ruled that city and town councils could start meetings with prayers.

Question 2

2011 Snyder v Phelps

Answer 2

In the 2011 Snyder v Phelps case, the court ruled that the Westboro Baptist Church had the right to carry out anti-gay protests at the funerals of soldiers.

Question 3

2008 District of Columbia v Heller

Answer 3

The 2008 District of Columbia v Heller case ruled that a District of Columbia 1976 ruling, which banned handgun ownership and required shotguns and rifles to be kept unloaded, was unconstitutional. This ruling upheld the right to bear arms as an individual right to own guns.

Question 4

2000 Dickerson v United States

Answer 4

The 2000 Dickerson v United States case upheld the rights of those who have been arrested to be read their ‘Miranda rights’, which includes the right to remain silent.

Question 5

2005 Roper v Simmons

Answer 5

The 2005 Roper v Simmons case ruled against the death penalty for citizens under the age of 18.

Question 6

2012 Miller v Alabama

Answer 6

The 2012 Miller v Alabama case ruled that life sentences without parole should not apply to people under the age of 18.

Question 7

2003 Gratz v Bollinger

Answer 7

The 2003 Gratz v Bollinger case ruled that Michigan University’s affirmative action, which gave an advantage to underrepresented minorities, was unconstitutional because it did not assess individuals but admitted nearly all underrepresented minority applicants.

Question 8

2016 Fisher v University of Texas

Answer 8

The 2016 Fisher v University of Texas case ruled that universities can take race and ethnicity into account in their admissions process.

Question 9

2015 Obergefell v Hodges

Answer 9

In the 2015 Obergefell v Hodges case, the Supreme Court ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment’s equal protection of all citizens’ life and liberty rights.