Court cases Flashcards
What were the facts of the case in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
Alfonso Lopez Jr. was charged for bringing a concealed handgun to his high school in San Antonio, Texas. He was initially charged under Texas law, but later under the Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1990.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
Article I, Section 8 Commerce Clause
What was the ruling of the Court in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Lopez, striking down the Gun-Free School Zones Act as unconstitutional.
What was the reasoning behind the Court’s ruling in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
The Court held that Congress exceeded its commerce clause power, as the possession of a firearm in a school zone did not have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.
What were the facts of the case in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
The state of Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of the United States, arguing that the federal government did not have the constitutional authority to establish a national bank.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
Article I, Section 8 Necessary and Proper Clause; Article VI Supremacy Clause
What was the ruling of the Court in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously (7-0) in favor of McCulloch, holding that Congress had the power to create a national bank under the Elastic Clause.
What was the reasoning behind the Court’s ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
Maryland could not tax the bank due to the Supremacy Clause, which establishes that federal law is superior to state law.
What were the facts of the case in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
Otis McDonald challenged Chicago’s strict handgun ban, arguing it violated his Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms; Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause (Selective Incorporation)
What was the ruling of the Court in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of McDonald, holding that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
What were the facts of the case in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
Benjamin Gitlow was arrested for distributing a pamphlet called the ‘Left Wing Manifesto,’ advocating for the violent overthrow of the government.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
First Amendment Freedom of Speech and Press; Fourteenth Amendment Due Process (Selective Incorporation)
What was the ruling of the Court in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Gitlow, upholding his conviction.
What was the reasoning behind the Court’s ruling in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
States could limit speech if it posed a ‘clear and present danger’ to public safety, applying the precedent set in Schenck v. United States (1919).
What were the facts of the case in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
Members of the Amish community, led by Jonas Yoder, refused to send their children to school beyond 8th grade, arguing it violated their religious beliefs.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
First Amendment Free Exercise Clause; Due Process Clause
What was the ruling of the Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
The Supreme Court ruled 7-0 in favor of Yoder, holding that forcing Amish children to attend school beyond 8th grade violated their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
What was the primary issue in the case of N.Y. Times v. United States (1971)?
The primary issue was whether the government could prevent the New York Times and Washington Post from publishing classified Pentagon papers that revealed U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
What did the Nixon administration argue in N.Y. Times v. United States?
The Nixon administration argued that publishing the documents posed a national security risk.
Which amendment is in question in N.Y. Times v. United States?
First Amendment - Freedom of the press.
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in N.Y. Times v. United States?
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the New York Times, stating the government failed to prove the publications would cause direct immediate harm to national security.
What principle regarding government censorship was established in N.Y. Times v. United States?
Prior restraints (government censorship before publication) were deemed unconstitutional in this case.
What was the significance of the ruling in N.Y. Times v. United States for democracy?
The ruling emphasized that freedom of the press is essential for democracy and preventing publication could set a dangerous precedent for government overreach.
What were the facts of the case in Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
William Marbury was appointed as a ‘midnight judge’ by John Adams, but Thomas Jefferson’s Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver his commission.
What legal action did Marbury take in Marbury v. Madison?
Marbury sued asking the Supreme Court to issue a court order forcing Madison to deliver the commission.
Which article and section of the Constitution is in question in Marbury v. Madison?
Article III, Section 2 - Judicial Review & Supreme Court Powers.
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in Marbury v. Madison?
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously (4-0) against Marbury, holding that while he had a right to his commission, the Court did not have the power to issue a writ of mandamus because the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional.
What principle was established by the ruling in Marbury v. Madison?
The principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.
What were the facts of the case in Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)?
Students, including Mary Beth Tinker and John Tinker, wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, and were suspended by school officials who argued it disrupted the learning environment.
What was the legal claim made by the students in Tinker v. Des Moines?
The students claimed their First Amendment right to free speech was violated.
Which amendments are in question in Tinker v. Des Moines?
First Amendment - Freedom of speech (symbolic speech); Fourteenth Amendment - Due process clause.
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines?
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Tinker, stating that students do not lose their First Amendment rights at school.
What standard did the Court establish regarding speech in schools in Tinker v. Des Moines?
Schools could only restrict speech if it caused a substantial disruption.
What were the facts of the case in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?
Clarence Earl Gideon was charged with breaking and entering and could not afford an attorney, asking the court to appoint one for him.
What was the legal issue Gideon faced in Gideon v. Wainwright?
The state of Florida only provided court-appointed lawyers for defendants in capital cases, forcing Gideon to represent himself.
Which amendments are in question in Gideon v. Wainwright?
Sixth Amendment - Right to counsel; Fourteenth Amendment - Due process clause (selective incorporation).
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright?
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously (9-0) in favor of Gideon, holding that the right to legal counsel is fundamental.
What does the ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright establish regarding defendants?
Defendants who cannot afford an attorney must be provided one in state criminal trials.
