AP GOV Supreme Court Cases

Marbury V Madison

this case establishes the Supreme Court's power of judicial review

Roe v. Wade

(1973) legalized abortion on the basis of a woman's right to privacy. But only up to a certain point (Trimesters) overturned some of Griswold v Connecticut

Dred Scott V Sandford

1857 Supreme Court decision that stated that slaves were not citizens; that livig in a free state or territory, even for many years, did not free slaves; and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitional

Korematsu v. United States

1944 Supreme Court case where the Supreme Court upheld the order providing for the relocation of Japanese Americans. It was not until 1988 that Congress formally apologized and agreed to pay $20,000 to each survivor.

New Jersey V T.L.O

1985 - School officials are State agents when enforcing disciplinary rules mandated by law. Officials may search without a warrant using reasonable suspicion of a violation of the law or school rules.

Hazelwood V Kuhlmeier

1988 - Under the First Amendment, school officials can censor non-forum student newspapers when they can justify their decision by stating an educational purpose. However, this decision does not allow school officials to censor articles wantonly or based on personal opinion.

United states V Lopez

1995 - The Commerce Clause of the Constitution does not give Congress the power to prohibit mere possession of a gun near a school, because gun possession by itself is not an economic activity that affects interstate commerce even indirectly.

Texas V Johnson

A 1989 case in which the Supreme Court struck down a law banning the burning of the American flag on the grounds that such action was symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.

McCulloch V Maryland

An 1819 Supreme Court decision that established the supremacy of the national government over state governments. In deciding this case, Chief Justice John Marshall and his colleagues held that Congress had certain implied powers in addition to the enumerated powers found in the Constitution.

Abdington School District V. Schempp

Bible reading in Pennsylvania public schools: 1-8 votes Schempp, violates religious freedom right

Mapp V. Ohio

Established the exclusionary rule was applicable to the states (evidence seized illegally cannot be used in court)

Engle v. Vitale

Mandatory prayer in schools is a violation of the establishment clause

Tinker v. Des Moines

The case that ruled that students do not lose Constitutional rights when they entered the building but they can be limited if they cause a disruption; students wore black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War; student's rights are not "shed at the schoolhouse gates," symbolic speech allowed

Worcester v Georgia

Supreme Court Decision - Cherokee Indians were entitled to federal protection from the actions of state governments which would infringe on the tribe's sovereignty - Jackson ignored it

Miranda V. Arizona

Supreme Court held that criminal suspects must be informed of their right to consult with an attorney and of their right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police.

United States V Nixon

The 1974 case in which the Supreme Court unanimously held that the doctrine of executive privilege was implicit in the Constitution but could not be extended to protect documents relevant to criminal prosecutions

Gregg V Georgia

The 1976 Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty, stating, "It is an extreme sanction, suitable to the most extreme of crimes." The court did not, therefore, believe that the death sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

NAACP v. Alabama

The Supreme Court protected the right to assemble peaceably in this 1958 case when it decided the NAACP did not have to reveal its membership list and thus subject its members to harassment.

Snyder V Phelps

The court ruled that 1st amendment protects fundamentalist church members who stage anti-gay protests outside military funerals - the nation protects even hurtful speech on public issues

Gibbons V Ogden

This case involved New York trying to grant a monopoly on waterborne trade between New York and New Jersey. Judge Marshal, of the Supreme Court, sternly reminded the state of New York that the Constitution gives Congress alone the control of interstate commerce. Marshal's decision, in 1824, was a major blow on states' rights.

Plessy V Ferguson

a 1896 Supreme Court decision which legalized state ordered segregation so long as the facilities for blacks and whites were equal "Separate but Equal"

Schenck v US

a United States Supreme Court decision concerning the question of whether the defendant possessed a First Amendment right to free speech against the draft during World War I. Ultimately, the case served as the founding of the "clear and present danger" rule. Sent out pamphlets.

Gideon v. Wainwright

a landmark case in United States Supreme Court history. In the case, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state courts are required under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants unable to afford their own attorneys.

Grutter V Bollinger

affirmative action case (lost) ; race could be used as a factor in admissions as long as there was no point system and race was not a major factor; upheld Bakke case. Straight up your in because of your race

Gratz v Bollinger

affirmative action case; a point system for admission in which points were given for race was ruled unconstitutional; too much like a quota system; upheld Bakke case

Brown v. Board of Education

court found that segregation was a violation of the Equal Protection clause "separate but equal" has no place

Griswold v. Connecticut

married couple wanted to get contraceptives; struck down a Connecticut law prohibiting the sale of contraceptives; established the right of privacy through the 4th and 9th amendment

U. of California V Bakke

reverse discrimination, race could be one of the factors, but racial quotas not allowed, white student won