Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Question 1

Lynch v. Donnelly

Answer 1

Christmas nativity scene case. The nativity scene did not pose a violation of the establishment clause of the first amendment

Question 2

Engel v. Vitale

Answer 2

No prayer in public schools

Question 3

Sherbet v. Verner

Answer 3

Citizen couldn’t work on sabbath day and her employer would not give her other days to work. Court agreed with the citizen

Question 4

Schenck v. United States

Answer 4

Citizen mailed letters to draftees to ignore the draft. Freedom of speech does not shield advocacy urging illegal activity (clear + present danger)

Question 5

Cohen v. California

Answer 5

Jacket worn by worker “fuck the draft” is ok under first amendment rights

Question 6

Gregory v. Chicago

Answer 6

Protestors arrested due to bystanders disrupting. Court held that the police should have controlled the situation, not the protestors fault.

Question 7

D.C vs Heller

Answer 7

D.C. Law banning registration on handguns and forcing people to have then disassembled is unconstitutional. Violates 2nd amendment right

Question 8

Mapp vs. Ohio

Answer 8

All evidence obtained by illegal search is inadmissible in court

Question 9

U.S. vs. Leon

Answer 9

Good faith exception

Question 10

Boumediene v. Bush

Answer 10

Enemy combatant are free to pursue habaes corpus

Question 11

Griswold v. Connecticut

Answer 11

Right to privacy in marital decisions regarding contraceptives

Question 12

Webster v. RHS

Answer 12

Missouri was allowed to prevent public employees in aiding abortions, counseling for abortions, and forced doctors to perform viability tests after the 20th week of a pregnancy

Question 13

U.S. Vs Windsor

Answer 13

Gay marriage legalized

Question 14

Lemon v. Kurtzman

Answer 14

Creation of lemon test. 1) govt actions must have secular purposes 2) govt must not have a primary effect of promoting religion 3) govt actions must not have excessive govt entanglement with religion