Legal Cases and Relation to Class

Question 1

Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896)

Answer 1

established the “separate but equal” doctrine, legitimized racial segregation, allowing state-sponsored segregation laws to persist.
a.) Concepts of Law: Introduces the idea of legal precedents and how societal norms influence law (separate but equal).
b.) Cohesion: Highlights issues of social cohesion and division based on race, demonstrating law’s role in reinforcing societal structures.

Question 2

District of Columbia v. Colts (1930)

Answer 2

1.) The Supreme Court decided that the District of Columbia couldn’t be sued for not fulfilling a contract because it hadn’t followed the proper procedures to approve the contract.
2.)The issue was that a company (Colts) had a contract with the District of Columbia for work on a public project. When the District didn’t pay, Colts sued.
a.) Public Law: Explores the responsibilities of government entities, linking to discussions on public vs. private law.
b.) Centralized Authority: Illustrates the need for a centralized authority in governance and legal accountability.

Question 3

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Answer 3

Overturned Plessy; declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
a.) Natural Law vs. Positive Law: Challenges the legitimacy of laws that support segregation, aligning with natural law principles that advocate for inherent equality.
b.) Legal Evolution: Serves as a turning point that showcases how legal interpretations can evolve over time.

Question 4

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Answer 4

Recognized a woman’s constitutional right to privacy in the context of abortion.
a.) Right to Privacy: Establishes a legal precedent for privacy rights, connecting to discussions on individual freedoms under the law.
b.) Public vs. Private Matters: Explores the intersection of personal choices and public legal frameworks.

Question 5

United States v. Morrison (1977)

Answer 5

Addressed the limits of federal power under the Commerce Clause concerning gender-based violence.
a.) Federalism: Addresses the limits of federal power, emphasizing the balance between state and federal law in enforcing rights.
b.) Public Law: Discusses the role of law in addressing social issues, particularly regarding gender-based violence.

Question 6

United States v. Ross (1982)

Answer 6

Affirmed police authority to search vehicles without a warrant under probable cause.
a.) Fourth Amendment Rights: Examines law enforcement’s authority under probable cause, emphasizing legal standards for searches.
b.) Common Law Principles: Illustrates how case law influences the interpretation and enforcement of constitutional rights.

Question 7

Bob Jones University v. United States (1983)

Answer 7

Affirmed the IRS’s right to deny tax-exempt status based on racial discrimination policies.
a.) Tax Law and Civil Rights: Discusses the implications of law on institutions’ practices, reinforcing the idea that law serves public policy goals over private interests.
b.) Public Law: Highlights the intersection of public policy and private conduct, particularly in tax exemption contexts.

Question 8

The People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson (1995)

Answer 8

A highly publicized criminal trial that culminating in a not-guilty verdict for Simpson in the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson.
a.) Adversarial System: Illustrates the dynamics of the adversarial legal system, where opposing sides present cases before a judge.
b.) Criminal Trial (not guilty)

Question 9

Goldman and Brown v. Simpson (1997)

Answer 9

Civil trial following the criminal case, focusing on wrongful death and damages.
a.) Civil vs. Criminal Law: Highlights the differences between civil and criminal legal processes, particularly regarding accountability and damages . (sued for wrongful death)
b.) Double Jeapordy: he O.J. Simpson case is a significant example of the legal principle of double jeopardy, which prohibits a person from being tried twice for the same offense.

Question 10

Wyoming v. Houghton (1999)

Answer 10

Related to searches of personal items in vehicles and 4th Amendment rights.
a.) Search and Seizure: Directly relates to Fourth Amendment rights and legal standards governing searches, crucial for understanding individual rights under the law.
b.) Precedent and Stare Decisis: Emphasizes the importance of precedents in shaping legal standards for law enforcement practices.

Question 11

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. (2022)

Answer 11

Overturned Roe v. Wade, affecting the legal landscape around abortion rights.
a.) Legal Precedent: Represents a significant shift in legal precedent regarding reproductive rights, affecting broader legal discussions on privacy and personal freedoms.
b.) Impact of Law on Society: Illustrates how legal decisions can dramatically alter societal norms and public policy.