Exam Review: Court Cases

Question 1

City of Renton v. Playtime theatres Inc. 1986

Answer 1

A zoning ordinance prohibited adult movie theatres from being located within 1,000 feet of any residential zone, church, park or school. The Respondent, Playtime Theatres, Inc. (Respondent), claimed that the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution (Constitution) were violated by the city ordinance.

Question 2

Tinker v. Des Moines

Answer 2

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969) was a decision by the United States Supreme Court that defined the constitutional rights of students in U.S. public schools. The Tinker test is still used by courts today to determine whether a school’s disciplinary actions violate students’ First Amendment rights.

Question 3

Gitlow v. New York

Answer 3

The Petitioner, Gitlow (Petitioner), published a communist manifesto for distribution in the United States. He was charged with plotting to overthrow the United States government.

Question 4

Miranda v. Arizona

Answer 4

Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court which passed 5–4. The Court held that both inculpatory and exculpatory statements made in response to interrogation by a defendant in police custody will be admissible at trial only if the prosecution can show that the defendant was informed of the right to consult with an attorney before and during questioning and of the right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police, and that the defendant not only understood these rights, but voluntarily waived them.

Question 5

What is the Bill of rights?

Answer 5

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are summarized below. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.