All SCOTUS Cases Flashcards
(14 cards)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
General Details: William Marbury sued for his judicial appointment that was not delivered.
Arguments: Marbury argued he had a right to his position; Madison argued the delivery wasn’t completed.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled that Marbury had a right to his commission but that the Court could not enforce it, establishing judicial review.
Importance Today: It established the principle of judicial review, giving courts the power to strike down unconstitutional laws.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
General Details: Maryland tried to tax a federal bank, raising the question of state vs federal power.
Arguments: Maryland argued states could tax any business; McCulloch argued federal institutions are supreme.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled Congress could create a national bank and states could not tax it, strengthening federal power.
Importance Today: It reinforced federal supremacy and expanded Congress’s implied powers.
Schenck v. United States (1919)
General Details: Charles Schenck was convicted for distributing anti-draft leaflets during WWI.
Arguments: Schenck argued free speech protected his actions; the U.S. argued it threatened national security.
Court Ruling: The Court upheld Schenck’s conviction, establishing the ‘clear and present danger’ test.
Importance Today: It defined limits of free speech, especially during wartime.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
General Details: African American students challenged racial segregation in public schools.
Arguments: Brown argued segregation harmed black children; Kansas defended ‘separate but equal’ doctrine.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.
Importance Today: It ended legal segregation in schools and fueled the civil rights movement.
Baker v. Carr (1962)
General Details: Charles Baker sued Tennessee for failing to redraw legislative districts despite population changes.
Arguments: Baker argued underrepresentation violated equal protection; Tennessee said it was a political issue.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled that federal courts could hear redistricting cases based on equal protection.
Importance Today: It opened the door for challenges to unfair districting under ‘one person, one vote’.
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
General Details: Parents sued a New York school district for requiring a non-denominational prayer.
Arguments: Parents argued it violated the Establishment Clause; school argued it was voluntary.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled school-sponsored prayer violated the First Amendment.
Importance Today: It reinforced the separation of church and state in public schools.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
General Details: Clarence Gideon was denied a lawyer when charged with a felony in Florida.
Arguments: Gideon argued for the right to counsel; Florida said counsel was only for capital cases.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to an attorney in all felony cases.
Importance Today: It ensured that defendants in criminal cases are provided legal counsel if they cannot afford it.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
General Details: Students were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.
Arguments: Tinker argued symbolic speech was protected; school said it disrupted learning.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled in favor of the students, protecting symbolic speech in schools.
Importance Today: It affirmed that students retain First Amendment rights in school settings.
New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
General Details: The government tried to stop newspapers from publishing the Pentagon Papers.
Arguments: NYT argued free press was vital; the U.S. argued national security was at risk.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled that prior restraint was unconstitutional without direct, immediate danger.
Importance Today: It strengthened protections for freedom of the press against government censorship.
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
General Details: Amish parents challenged a Wisconsin law requiring school attendance past 8th grade.
Arguments: Yoder argued it violated religious freedom; Wisconsin said education was a public good.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled in favor of Yoder, prioritizing religious freedom over compulsory education.
Importance Today: It reinforced strong protection for religious practices against government requirements.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
General Details: North Carolina was accused of racial gerrymandering after creating oddly shaped districts.
Arguments: Shaw argued the districts were racial discrimination; Reno defended minority representation.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled that racial gerrymandering violated equal protection principles.
Importance Today: It limited race-based redistricting even when intended to help minorities.
United States v. Lopez (1995)
General Details: A student challenged a federal law banning guns near schools, arguing Congress overreached.
Arguments: Lopez argued the law exceeded federal power; U.S. argued it affected interstate commerce.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress’s Commerce Clause authority.
Importance Today: It set limits on the federal government’s use of the Commerce Clause.
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
General Details: Chicago’s handgun ban was challenged under the Second Amendment.
Arguments: McDonald argued for an individual right to own guns; Chicago defended local regulation.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled the Second Amendment applies to states through the 14th Amendment.
Importance Today: It incorporated gun rights to the states, strengthening individual rights nationwide.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
General Details: A nonprofit challenged campaign finance laws limiting independent political spending.
Arguments: Citizens United argued for free speech; FEC argued limits protected elections from corruption.
Court Ruling: The Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited.
Importance Today: It reshaped campaign finance, allowing unlimited independent political spending.
