Hocus SCOTUS
State tries to impose tax on the Bank of the United States, citing its authority to tax businesses and lack of power of Congress to establish a bank.
What are the facts of McCulloch v. Maryland?
Students maintain their First Amendment protections if it does not cause a “substantial and material disruption” of the educational function or discipline.
What are the holding and reasoning of Tinker v. Des Moines?
Man distributed literature calling for men to resist “unconstitutional” conscription (draft). He is arrested for violating the Espionage Act.
What are the facts of Schenck v. United States?
U.S. Government had not met the high Constitutional burden to justify the prior restraint being requested to keep the classified documents from being published.
What are the holding and reasoning of New York Times v. United States?
African-American student was unable to attend the all-white school located near her home.
What are the facts of Brown v. Board of Education?
The Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutionally adds the ability of SCOTUS to issue writs of mandamus. Judiciary Act of 1789 is unconstitutional and struck down through judicial review.
What are the holding and reasoning in Marbury v. Madison?
City’s restrictive gun control policies are challenged following the SCOTUS case DC v. Heller.
What are the facts of McDonald v. Chicago?
The prayer was written by government officials and used as a part of a government institution, thereby violating the Establishment Clause.
What are the holding and reasoning of Engel v. Vitale?
Parents within the New York school districts were upset because of a school-led, voluntary prayer being recited in the beginning of the school day.
What are the facts of Engel v. Vitale?
Regulation of carrying guns in schools is not an economic activity. Therefore, GFSZA exceeds Congress’s authority under the Commerce Clause.
What are the holding and reasoning of United States v. Lopez?
Alleged felon was denied legal counsel to defend him following an arrest for burglary.
What are the facts of Gideon v. Wainwright?
The right to legal counsel to assist in one’s defense is a fundamental right necessary for the implementation of a fair trial.
What are the holding and reasoning of Gideon v. Wainwright?
Student’s arrest under the Gun-Free School Zone Act is justified through Congress’s regulation of commerce using the Commerce Clause.
What are the facts of United States v. Lopez?
Self-defense is a fundamental right protected by the Second Amendment and incorporated through the 14th Amendment.
What are the holding and reasoning of McDonald v. Chicago?
Parent challenges a state law requiring compulsory public-school attendance for students 16 and under, citing a conflict with their Amish faith.
What are the facts of Wisconsin v. Yoder?
Courts may rule on redistricting since the issue is one involving equal protection of the law under the Fourteenth Amendment. Opened the door to "one person, one vote" idea.
What are the holding and reasoning in Baker v. Carr?
To increase diversity of representatives, North Carolina redraws the districts to create majority-minority districts. Voters challenge, saying redistricting plan violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
What are the facts of Shaw v. Reno?
Government rationale of limiting corporate spending to reduce corruption is not persuasive enough to limit political speech. Corporations have free speech privileges.
What are the holding and reasoning of Citizens United v. FEC?
The U.S. government wants to halt the publishing of the “Pentagon Papers,” citing a danger to national security.
What are the facts of New York Times v. United States?
Citizen’s speech causes a “clear and present danger” as it can cause a disruption of the operation of the military. Restricting his speech is not unconstitutional.
What are the holding and reasoning of Schenck v. United States?
Under BCRA, Citizens United was barred from broadcasting a movie that dissuades voters from electing Hillary Clinton.
What are the facts of Citizens United v. FEC?
Congress has the right to establish a bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause to assist with taxation. State may not tax the bank under the Supremacy Clause, making federal authority supersede state authority.
What are the holding and reasoning in McCulloch v. Maryland?
Judicial appointee files a writ of mandamus to U.S. Supreme Court following Secretary of State’s refusal to deliver his judicial appointment.
What are the facts of Marbury v. Madison?
Despite the noble intention of the redistricting plan, it runs afoul of the Equal Protection Clause. Districts cannot be redrawn because of race.
What are the holding and reasoning of Shaw v. Reno?
Voter sues TN for failing to redistrict as required by law. TN Courts rule they cannot decide on state’s inability to redistrict because it is considered a non-justiciable “political issue.”
What are the facts of Baker v. Carr?