Civil Rights SC Cases

Question 1

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Answer 1

Slaves are property and Congress can’t do anything about that (equal protection)

Question 2

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Answer 2

Separate but equal is okay (equal protection)

Question 3

Shenck v. US (1919)

Answer 3

Must not present a “clear and present danger” (Freedom of Speech)

Question 4

Gitlow v. New York (1925)

Answer 4

First amendment applies to states too (1 amd.)

Question 5

Korematsu v. US (1944)

Answer 5

National security trumps individuals rights (equal protection)

Question 6

Everson v. BoE (1947)

Answer 6

“Wall of Separation” doctrine (freedom of religion)

Question 7

Brown v. BoE Topeka, KS (1954)

Answer 7

Separate in inherently not equal

Question 8

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Answer 8

Evidence must be legally obtained (4 amd.)

Question 9

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Answer 9

No prayer in public school (freedom of religion)

Question 10

NY Times v. Sullivan (1964)

Answer 10

Libel requires actual malice (freedom of speech)

Question 11

Gideon v. Wainwright (1964)

Answer 11

Right to attorney even if you can’t afford one (5 amd.)

Question 12

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Answer 12

“Right to” implied (state banned contraceptve sales) (freedom of privacy)

Question 13

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Answer 13

Right to remain silent, not confess (5 amd.)

Question 14

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Answer 14

Student can wear an armband to protest (freedom of speech)

Question 15

Brandenberg v. Ohio (1969)

Answer 15

Violent speech is not action (no prior restraint) (freedom of speech)

Question 16

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)

Answer 16

3 test of govt./relig entanglement (freedom of religion)

Question 17

Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenberg Co. BoE (1971)

Answer 17

Busing/Gerrymandering are ok (equal protection)

Question 18

Reed v. Reed (1971)

Answer 18

Gender discriminaation violates equal protection (equal protection)

Question 19

NY Times v. US (1971)

Answer 19

Pentagon paper publilshing; no prior restraint (freedom of speech)

Question 20

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Answer 20

Religion trumps education (freedom of religion)

Question 21

Miller v. California (1973)

Answer 21

Attempt to define obscenity (freedom of speech)

Question 22

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Answer 22

State law cannot ban abortion (privacy)

Question 23

Gregg v. Georgia (1976)

Answer 23

Dealth penalty must be individual, not auomatic (8 amd.)

Question 24

UC Regents v. Bakke (1978)

Answer 24

No race-based quotas (equal protection)

Question 25

Edwards v. Aguilard (1987)

Answer 25

A law cannot require teaching of “creation science” (freedom of religion)

Question 26

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Answer 26

Symbolic is protected (flag burning) (freedom of speech)

Question 27

Reno v. ACLU (1997)

Answer 27

A law cannot ban “indecent language” (freedom of speech)

Question 28

Zelburn v. Simmons-Harris (2002)

Answer 28

Vouchers to parents are okay (freedom of religion)

Question 29

Atkins v. Virginia (2002)

Answer 29

No execution of the retarded (8 amd.)

Question 30

Gritted v. Bollinger (2003)

Answer 30

Race CAN be a factor in admissions, but not a preference (equal protection)

Question 31

Lawrence v. Texas (2003)

Answer 31

No sodomy laws (privacy)

Question 32

Roper v. Simmons (2005)

Answer 32

No death penalty for minors (8 amd.)

Question 33

Gonzales v. Carhart (2007)

Answer 33

Federal law can ban partial-birth abortions (privacy)

Question 34

DC v. Heller (2008)

Answer 34

Gun ownership independent of militia service (2 amd.)

Question 35

Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee (2010)

Answer 35

Independent expenditures by Corp.s/Unions are ok (freedom of speech)

Question 36

Holder c. Humanitarian Law Project (2010)

Answer 36

Absolutely no help to terrorists (patriot act) (freedom of speech)