Supreme Court Cases Flashcards
Marburry v. Madison
Case established the principle of judicial review, the power of the court to nullify unconstitutional laws.
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy bought a first class railroad ticket and sat in white section. Was convicted, appealed against the judge, Ferguson. “Separate but equal.” John Marshall Harlan– “our constitution is color-blind.” Later overturned by brown v. Board
Roe v. Wade
Norma McCorvey “raped” (not really) but wanted an abortion. Appealed, and court ruled..Legalized abortion in the first trimester
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
Linda Brown (3rd grader) had to walk a mile to black school when white school was much closer. Thurgood Marshall was arguer for plaintiff. “Seperate but equal” now unconstitutional.
McCulloch v. Maryland
National and state Bank feuds; court ruled that the federal government had the right to establish the bank even though Constitution not specifically enumerated it
Baker v. Carr
Baker, a Tennessee citizen, claimed that political district lines were drawn to favor one party. Court agreed with him. Two years later, mandated “one man, one vote.”
Gideon v. Wainwright
Gideon was accused of breaking into a pool hall was not granted a lawyer. Sued director of corrections office. Was retired and found innocent. This case is the subject of the book Gideon’s Trumpet.
Hammer v. Dagenhart
Child labor law dispute; court ruled that federal government did not have power to legislate that topic. Later overturned.
Fletcher v. Peck
Georgia legislature corruptly sold land to citizens in exchange for bribes. One citizen who bought the property sued his seller, saying that he did not have a clear title. Court ruled that the state legislature did not have the power to repeal the sale.
