Supreme Court Cases Flashcards
Marbury vs Madison
1803
Question: Who is the ultimate authority on the laws?
●Decision: the Supreme Court can strike down un-Constitutional laws. In a process called “Judicial Review.”
McCullough vs Maryland
1824
●Question: can the federal government start a national bank? And can a state tax this bank?
Yes. Can start bank .
No. Can’t state tax this bank
Gibbons vs Ogden
1824
●Question: how much power does the federal government have to regulate commerce? Can states challenge any of these federal powers?
●Decision: the federal government has broad powers to regulate “commerce” (which is not just buying and selling). States cannot create their own commerce regulation that interferes with federal commerce
Dred Scott vs Sanford
1857
●Question: can the federal government prohibit slavery in a free territory? Can a slave sue for freedom in court?
●Decision: a slave has no legal standing and cannot sue in court.
●Decision: Even though there already were free territories by this time, Congress really should not ban
Plessy v Ferguson
1896
●Question: is the racial segregation of public facilities a violation of the “equal protection” clause of the 14th Amendment?
●Decision: No. Separate but equal is permitted in public facilities.
Lochner vs New York
1904
●Question: can a state limit the number of hours that employees can work in a private business?
●Decision: a state cannot interfere with the work week hours in a private business.
Schenck vs United States
1919
●Question: during wartime, are certain antiwar messages protected by the 1st Amendment (“free speech”)?
●Decision: speech can be restricted if it creates a “clear and present danger.” Such as “crying ‘fire’ in a crowded theater.”
Brown vs Topeka Board of Education
1954
●Question: are racially segregated schools a violation of the “equal protection” clause in the 14th Amendment?
●
Decision: Yes. Racial segregated schools “have no place” in America. Schools should be de-segregated “with all due speed” (no specific timetable given).
BAKER v CARR
1962
The Supreme Court can hear cases of re-districting
If states are re-districting unfairly, the 14th Amendment / equal protection clause has been violated.
Gideon vs Wainwright
1963
●Question: should a person charged with a felony, but who is unable to afford an attorney, be assigned one by the state?
●Decision: yes. Attorneys are necessary in court proceedings. - Beginning of public defender system
Miranda vs Arizona
1966
●Question: are police required to inform people of their right to remain silent? And of their right to an attorney?
●
Decision: Yes. According to the 5th and 6th Amendments, persons suspected of a crime must be informed of the charges and of their rights.
Tinker vs Des Moines
1969
●Question: can schools ban students from wearing black arm bands to protest the Vietnam War?
●Decision: No. Students “do not shed their right to free speech at the schoolhouse door.” Unless the protest or speech is disruptive of the school or of the learning process, it cannot be prohibited.
Roe vs Wade
1973
●Question: does the Constitution prohibit laws that restrict a woman’s access to abortion?
●Decision: No. The Constitution has an implied right to privacy. Abortions are Constitutional if in the early stages of pregnancy. Protected by the “equal protection” clause of the 14th Amendment
Regents of the University of California vs Bakke
1978
Question: can an institution of higher learning use race as a factor of admission to the institution?
●
Decision: race can be used. Specific quotas cannot be used to create a diverse student body.
●*This has been upheld by Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger. Race can be a factor. The institutional policy cannot create an automatic preference based on race.
Planned Parenthood vs Casey
1992
Upheld a woman’s right to an abortion as seen in Roe v Wade.
Bush vs Gore
2000
●Question: did Florida legally recount the election results for the 2000 Presidential election?
●Decision: Florida violated the Constitution. The recount of absentee ballots and indecipherable ballots was thrown out.
Citizens United vs F.E.C.
2010
Question: is corporate funding of campaign speech protected under the “free speech” part of the 1st Amendment?
Decision: yes. Corporations have almost unlimited power to contribute money to candidates. As long as they openly acknowledge where the money comes from, corporations and non-profits can fund candidates
N.F.I.B. vs Sibelius
2012
Upheld “Obamacare” or the Affordable Care Act, a national health network started by President Obama.
The requirement on tax forms that asked for health care plan information was declared a “tax” and therefore it remained legal. It was not in violation of free speech. It was not excessive regulation of commerce
Burwell vs Hobby Lobby
2014
Question: Hobby Lobby refused to work with insurance companies that covered contraception. The company felt that the contraception coverage violated the collective religious identity & freedom of Hobby Lobby. Is this in violation of the 1st Amendment and the free expression of religion?
Decision: no. Hobby Lobby can exercise its collectiv
Obergefell vs Hodges
2015
Same sex marriage is legal in all 50 states
Korematzu vs. United States
Attack on Pearl harbor
Mapp vs. Ohio
Search and seizure /Obscene materials
Engel vs Vitale
School prayer / state cannot hold prayer in public schools
New York Times vs. United States
Nixon administration
Yes. Classified information violated first amendment
Wisconsin vs Yoder
Amish / freedom of religion
United States Vs Nixon
Is the presidents right to safeguard certain information using his executive privilege entirely immune from executive review .
No.
Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeir
Did the principals deletion of the articles violate students rights .
No.
Texas Vs Johnson
Is the desecration of the American flag, by burning or otherwise, a form of speech that is protected under the 1st amendment .
Burning of the flag by Johnson was protected.
Shaw Vs Reno
Did North Carolina create a racially gerrymandered district
Yes.
United States vs. Lopez
Guns in school is not an economic activity and has nothing to do with commerce
District of Columbia vs Heller
Firearms in homes
New Jersey vs. TLO
Searches in School
