Case Names / Rules Flashcards
(26 cards)
Marbury v. Madison
Facts: P was supposed to be a judge but commission was never delivered. New admin said that no delivery = not valid
Judicial Review – SCOTUS has the duty and power to strike down laws enacted by Congress that have violated the Constitution
Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee
Facts: VA Supreme Court ruled that SCOTUS’ appellate jurisdiction was unconstitutional because the issue in the case was over state law
SCOTUS has appellate review over lower state and federal courts decisions
Ex parte McCardle
Facts: P was arrested for writing critical editorials and petitioned SCOTUS for habeas corpus. Congress issued a statute which repealed SCOTUS’ appellate review of writ of habeas corpus
Congress has the power to take away SCOTUS’ appellate jurisdiction
Baker v. Carr
Facts: D brought suit challenging the constitutionality of legislative apportionment schemes
An apportionment case may be reviewed on 14th amendment grounds, so long as these grounds are independent from political question elements
Goldwater v. Carter
Facts: President Carter wanted to recognize PRC and withdraw from a treaty recognizing Taiwan
President has the authority to repeal a treaty without Congress’ involvement
Nixon V. United States
Facts: Judge was convicted of crimes but refused to resign as Senate didn’t “try” his case correctly
Impeachment is a non-justiciable political question.
Rescue Army v. Municipal Court
Facts: None
Judicial discretion – even if a case meets all the factors, court doesn’t have to hear a case.
Muskrat v. US
Facts: Congress passed statute which enabled Indians to bring suit against US to determine constitutionality of a law allocating tribal lands
Federal courts cannot issue advisory opinions
Frothingham v. Mellon
Facts: P claimed that taxes were increased which would take away her property without due process
People do not have standing simply because they are taxpayers
MA v. Mellon
Facts: MA claimed that Maternity Act violated the 10th amendment
A state cannot generally sue on behalf of their citizens in their relations with the federal government
Allen v. Wright
Facts: Black parents sued IRS re. discriminatory private schools receiving tax exempt status
P must allege a harm directly traceable to specific action on the part of D
Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife
Facts: Animal rights group was suing gov agency re. funding of projects affecting endangered species
Injury must be “actual or imminent” not speculative
Raines v. Byrd
Facts: Congress members unsuccessfully voted against a bill allowing line-item vetoes by President
Individual members of Congress do not automatically have standing to litigate the constitutionality of laws affecting Congress as a whole
DeFunis v. Odegaard
Facts: law student claimed that because of 14th amendment violation he didn’t get into law school
Mootness - a case is moot if events occurring after the filing have deprived the litigant of an ongoing stake in the controversy
Roe v. Wade
Facts: P attacks constitutionality of state anti-abortion law. P is no longer pregnant at hearing.
An issue will not be treated as moot if it is capable of repetition, yet evading review
McCulloch v. Maryland
Facts: MA enacted tax that would force US Bank in MA to pay taxes to state
Congress may enact laws that are necessary and proper to carry out their enumerated powers
States cannot tax the federal government
South Dakota v. Dole
Facts: Congress enacted statute which withheld part of highway fund if state allowed under-21 alcohol purchases
Congress can place conditions on grants to state and local government long as it’s not coercive
Gibbons v. Ogden
Facts: NY granted monopoly to P to operate ferry boats. D had a license from fed gov to do the same.
Congress may regulate any interstate commerce and pre-empt state law in the are
Champion v. Ames
Facts: D was indicted under an act which criminalized the interstate shipment of lottery tickets
Congress has the ability to regulate transport of goods in interstate commerce when such regulation does not affect the internal affairs of the state
Hammer v. Dagenhart
Facts: P was father of children, wanted injunction against fed statute restricting interstate commerce of products of child labor.
The power of Congress to regulate commerce does not include the power to regulate the production of goods intended for commerce
US v. Darby
OVERRULED HAMMER V. DAGENHART
Facts: EE’s wages/hours violated Fair Labor Standards Act
If the regulated intrastate activity has a substantial effect on interstate commerce, Congress may regulate the activity regardless of their motive
Wickard v. Filburn
Facts: P farmer brought action saying wheat quota was unconstitutional; growing more than quota for personal consumption
Congress may regulate activities of entities totally apart from interstate commerce, if those activities affect interstate commerce
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US
Facts: P hotel owner refused entry to Blacks and challenged Civil Rights Act of 1964
Congress may regulate the ability of commercial institutions to deny service on the basis of race under its power to regulate interstate commerce
Katzenbach v. McClung
Facts: Local BBQ restaurant didn’t allow Blacks to eat there
Congressional power to regulate commerce can reach seemingly local activities if there is a connection to national commerce
