Powers of Government
In deciding this case about judicial appointments, the court established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to declare an act of the legislative or executive branch unconstitutional.
WHAT IS MARBURY V. MADISON? (1803)
The court ruled in this case that speech creating a “clear and present danger” was not protected by the First Amendment and could be limited.
WHAT IS SCHENCK V. UNITED STATES? (1919)
The court ruled in this case that race-based school segregation violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
WHAT IS BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION? (1954)
The court ruled in this case that school sponsorship of religious activities violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
WHAT IS ENGEL V. VITALE? (1962)
The court ruled in this case that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states.
WHAT IS MCDONALD V. CHICAGO? (2010)
In deciding this case about a national bank and state taxes, the court established supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws.
WHAT IS MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND? (1819)
The court ruled in this case that political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.
WHAT IS CITIZENS UNITED V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION? (2010)
This case held that redistricting did not raise political questions, allowing federal courts to hear other cases that challenge redistricting plans that may violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
WHAT IS BAKER V. CARR? (1962)
This case bolstered the freedom of the press protections of the First Amendment, establishing a “heavy presumption against prior restraint” even in cases involving national security.
WHAT IS NEW YORK TIMES CO. V. UNITED STATES? (1971)
In this case, the Sixth Amendment’s right to an attorney extends procedural due process protections to felony defendants in state courts.
WHAT IS GIDEON V. WAINWRIGHT? (1963)
The court ruled in this case that congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause when it made possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.
WHAT IS UNITED STATES V. LOPEZ? (1995)
The court ruled in this case that a prohibition against public school students wearing black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War violated the students’ freedom of speech protections in the First Amendment.
WHAT IS TINKER V. DES MOINES INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT? (1969)
The court ruled in this case that under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, majority-minority districts, created under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used in creating the district.
WHAT IS SHAW V. RENO? (1993)
The court ruled in this case that compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
WHAT IS WISCONSIN V. YODER? (1972)