Court Cases

Question 1

Background: The right to privacy extends to abortions
Precedent: Overturned by Dobbs v Jackson women’s health org. 2022
Year: 1973
Constitutional Principle: 14th amendment, right to privacy

Answer 1

Roe v Wade

Question 2

Background: Little girl wanted to go to school down the road but couldn’t because it was an all white school and she was black
Precedent: Overturned separate but equal
Year: 1954
Constitutional principle: 14th amendment, equal protection clause

Answer 2

Brown v BOE

Question 3

Background: Same as Brown v BOE but one year later
Precedent: Schools must desegregate w/ all deliberate speed
Year: 1955
Constitutional principle: 14th amendment, equal protection clause

Answer 3

Brown v BOE 2

Question 4

Background: Almost 20 yrs after Brown v BOE
Precedent: Money is not an excuse, busing is good enough to integrate
Year: 1977
Constitutional principle: 14th amendment, equal protection clause

Answer 4

Swann v Charlotte - Mecklenburg BOE

Question 5

Background: White dude didn’t get into med school
Protection: SC upheld affirmative action, but ruled race quotas were unconstitutional
Year: 1978
Constitutional principle: 14th amendment, equal protection clause

Answer 5

University of California v Bakke

Question 6

Background: Affirmative action in college administration?
Precedent: Race & ethnicity can be a contributing factor to university admissions, but it cannot be the deciding factor
Year: 2003
Constitutional principle: 14th amendment, equal protection clause

Answer 6

Grutter v Bolinger

Question 7

Background: Owner took slave to a free state
Precedent: Slaves are property
Year: 1857
Constitutional principle: 5th amendment, due process

Answer 7

Scott v Sanford (aka Dred Scott)

Question 8

Background: Ohio did not recognize a same sex married couple, same sex couple where one was terminally ill and died
Precedent: All 50 states have to grant and recognize same sex marriage
Year: 2015