Court cases Flashcards
(39 cards)
What were the facts of the case in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
Alfonso Lopez Jr. was charged for bringing a concealed handgun to his high school in San Antonio, Texas. He was initially charged under Texas law, but later under the Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1990.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
Article I, Section 8 Commerce Clause
What was the ruling of the Court in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Lopez, striking down the Gun-Free School Zones Act as unconstitutional.
What was the reasoning behind the Court’s ruling in United States v. Lopez (1995)?
The Court held that Congress exceeded its commerce clause power, as the possession of a firearm in a school zone did not have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.
What were the facts of the case in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
The state of Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of the United States, arguing that the federal government did not have the constitutional authority to establish a national bank.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
Article I, Section 8 Necessary and Proper Clause; Article VI Supremacy Clause
What was the ruling of the Court in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously (7-0) in favor of McCulloch, holding that Congress had the power to create a national bank under the Elastic Clause.
What was the reasoning behind the Court’s ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
Maryland could not tax the bank due to the Supremacy Clause, which establishes that federal law is superior to state law.
What were the facts of the case in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
Otis McDonald challenged Chicago’s strict handgun ban, arguing it violated his Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms; Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause (Selective Incorporation)
What was the ruling of the Court in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)?
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of McDonald, holding that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
What were the facts of the case in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
Benjamin Gitlow was arrested for distributing a pamphlet called the ‘Left Wing Manifesto,’ advocating for the violent overthrow of the government.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
First Amendment Freedom of Speech and Press; Fourteenth Amendment Due Process (Selective Incorporation)
What was the ruling of the Court in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Gitlow, upholding his conviction.
What was the reasoning behind the Court’s ruling in Gitlow v. New York (1925)?
States could limit speech if it posed a ‘clear and present danger’ to public safety, applying the precedent set in Schenck v. United States (1919).
What were the facts of the case in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
Members of the Amish community, led by Jonas Yoder, refused to send their children to school beyond 8th grade, arguing it violated their religious beliefs.
What specific amendment and/or clause from the Constitution is in question in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
First Amendment Free Exercise Clause; Due Process Clause
What was the ruling of the Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?
The Supreme Court ruled 7-0 in favor of Yoder, holding that forcing Amish children to attend school beyond 8th grade violated their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
What was the primary issue in the case of N.Y. Times v. United States (1971)?
The primary issue was whether the government could prevent the New York Times and Washington Post from publishing classified Pentagon papers that revealed U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
What did the Nixon administration argue in N.Y. Times v. United States?
The Nixon administration argued that publishing the documents posed a national security risk.
Which amendment is in question in N.Y. Times v. United States?
First Amendment - Freedom of the press.
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in N.Y. Times v. United States?
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the New York Times, stating the government failed to prove the publications would cause direct immediate harm to national security.
What principle regarding government censorship was established in N.Y. Times v. United States?
Prior restraints (government censorship before publication) were deemed unconstitutional in this case.
What was the significance of the ruling in N.Y. Times v. United States for democracy?
The ruling emphasized that freedom of the press is essential for democracy and preventing publication could set a dangerous precedent for government overreach.
