Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

"separate but equal" education for black and white students was unconstitutional; overturned Plessy v. Ferguson

Reynolds v. Sims (1964)

14th amendment requires state legislative districts reflect fair "one person, one vote" rule; political gerrymandering prohibited

Marbury v. Madison

1803 (4-0 decision) case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the Court's power of judicial review over acts of Congress, (the Judiciary Act of 1789).

Fletcher v. Peck

1810 case which protected property rights and asserted the right to invalidate state laws in conflict with the Contract Clause of the Constitution.

McCulloch vs. Maryland

1819 (7-0 decision) Supreme Court established that Congress had implied powers over the states under the Necessary and Proper Clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution to create the Second Bank of the United States and the state of Maryland lacked the power to tax the Bank. - The state of Maryland taxed banknotes produced by the Bank of the United States, claiming that the Bank was unconstitutional.

Gibbons v Ogden

1824 Supreme Court decision that ruled that the Constitution's Supremacy Clause gave control of interstate commerce to the U.S. Congress, not the individual states through which a route passed.

Barron v. Baltimore

1833 Supreme Court decision holding that the bill of rights restrained only the national government, not the states and cities. - eminent domain laws under the 5th Amendment restrictions apply to only the Federal Govt requiring just compensation to private owner for taking of property for public use.

Dred Scott v Sanford

1857 (7-2 decision) Supreme Court case that decided US Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in federal territories, and slaves as private property could not be taken away without due process - basically slaves would remain slaves in non-slave states and slaves could not sue because they were not citizens

Ex Parte Milligan

1866 Suspension of habeas corpus was unconstitutional because civilian courts were still operating, and the Constitution of the United States (according to the Court) only provided for suspension of habeas corpus if these courts are actually forced closed. In essence, the court ruled that military tribunals could not try civilians in areas where civil courts were open, even during wartime.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896 (7-1 decision) Supreme Court decision upheld "separate but equal" segregation laws in states.

Schenck v US

1919 ruling that government can limit free speech when there is a "clear and present danger."

Gitlow v. New York

1925 case established selective incorporation of the Bill of rights; states cannot deny freedom of speech; protected through the 14th Amendment's due process clause. - the federal "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech," applied also to state governments.

Near v. Minnesota

1931 Supreme Court decision holding that the first amendment protects newspapers from prior restraint. - Jay Near published a scandal sheet in Minneapolis, in which he attacked local officials, charging that they were implicated with gangsters. Minnesota officials obtained an injunction.

NLRB vs. Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp

1937 Court ruling that commerce power applied to the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 was narrowly constructed so as to regulate industrial activities which had the potential to restrict interstate commerce. - The National Labor Relations Board found the Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp. guilty of unfair labor practices and ordered it to rehire the workers with back pay.

Minersville School District v. Gobitas

1940 Upheld the the expulsion of children who refused to salute the flag. - The salute did not infringe upon liberties protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The state's interest in "national cohesion" was "inferior to none in the hierarchy of legal values..." (1940)

West Virgina v. Barnette

1943 (6-3 decision) SCOTUS overruled its decision in Minersville School

Korematsu v. US

1944 (6-3 decision) upheld internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Brown v Board of Education

1954 (9-0 decision) Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.

Mapp v.Ohio

1961 (5-3 decision) applied the exclusionary rule and due process to the states. That rule requires courts to exclude from criminal trials evidence that was obtained in violation of the constitution's ban on unreasonable searches and arrests.

Baker v Carr

1962 case that established the principle of one man, one vote. This decision created guidelines for apportionment, drawing up congressional districts to guarantee a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state. - The case also decided the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over questions of legislative apportionment.

Gideon v Wainwright

1963 (9-0 decision) Supreme Court ruled a person who cannot afford an attorney (indigent defendant) may have one appointed by the government, incorporated the Sixth Amendment to the states.

New York Times v. Sullivan

1964 (9-0 decision) established guidelines for determining whether public officials and public figures could win damage suits for libel. To do so, individuals must prove that the defamatory statements were made w/ "actual malice" and reckless disregard for the truth. Lawsuits based on libel or defamation must show intent or recklessness.

Wesberry v. Sanders

1964 ruling that apportionment for congressional districts should be proportional to each other, allowing for equality under the law. - The Court held that Georgia's apportionment scheme grossly discriminated against voters in the Fifth Congressional District by having different numbers of constituents in the voting districts.

Griswold v. CT

1965 First time the Court recognized right to marital privacy. Connecticut law prohibiting access to birth control information and use of contraceptives overturned.

Miranda v Arizona

1966 (5-4 decision) court decision that prisoners must be advised of their rights before being questioned by police.

Loving v Virginia

1967 (9-0 decision) SCOTUS invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage (anti-miscegenation laws).

Tinker v Des Moines

1969 (7-2 decision) Students retain their constitutional right of freedom of speech while in public school. - Student Speech, Symbolic Speech is protected

Brandenburg v Ohio

1969 Court upholds freedom of speech as long as it doesn't advocate immediate violence. - The Court used a two-pronged test to evaluate speech acts: (1) speech can be prohibited if it is "directed at inciting or producing imminent lawless action" and (2) it is "likely to incite or produce such action."

Powell vs. McCormack

1969 The House of Representatives may exclude a duly elected member for only those reasons enumerated in the Constitution. The Qualifications of Members Clause of Article One of the United States Constitution is an exclusive list of qualifications of members of the House. - Powell was elected to the House but his ethics were investigated. Found he was having an affair and using tax money to fund her. House refused to seat him so Powell argued it was in violation of the Constitution.

NY Times v. US

1971 ruling in favor of newspaper that to exercise prior restraint, the Government must show sufficient evidence that the publication would cause a "grave and irreparable" danger. - NY Times published stolen Pentagon papers that related to the government's decision-making process in Vietnam. Government stopped publication. Used the PREFERRED POSITION DOCTRINE, which presumes the expression/speech to be constitutional unless proven otherwise.

Roe v Wade

1973 (7-2 decision) Supreme Court decision holding that a state ban on all abortions was unconstitutional. The decision forbade state control over abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy, permitted states to limit abortions to protect the mother's health in the second trimester, and permitted states to protect the fetus during the third trimester.

US v. Nixon

1974 (8-0 decision) The Supreme Court does have the final voice in determining constitutional questions; no person, nor President is above the law; and the president cannot use the doctrine of separation of powers nor executive privilege as an excuse to withhold evidence that is demonstrably relevant in a criminal trial.

Craig v. Boren

1976 Supreme Court established the "intermediate scrutiny" standard for determining gender discrimination; finding gender classification as unconstitutional.

Buckley vs. Valeo

1976 Supreme Court two part ruling that (1) restrictions on individual contributions to political campaigns and candidates did not violate the First Amendment but (2) governmental restriction of independent expenditures in campaigns, the limitation on expenditures by candidates from their own personal or family resources, and the limitation on total campaign expenditures did violate the First Amendment.

CA Board of Regents v. Bakke

1978 (5-4 decision) SCOTUS upheld use of race as one of many factors in college admissions. - Ruled that affirmative action is constitutional but a quota system based on race is not constitutional.

New Jersey v T.L.O.

1985 (6-3 decision) school officials do not need a warrant to justify a search; only required to have a "reasonable suspicion" that a student has violated school rules in order to search that student.

Texas v. Johnson

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.

Adarand Constructors, Inc. v Pena

1995 Overruling Metro Broadcasting (497 US 547), the 1995 Court held that all racial classifications, whether imposed by federal, state, or local authorities, must pass strict scrutiny review. In other words, they "must serve a compelling government interest, and must be narrowly tailored to further that interest." - race is not in itself a determinant for being disadvantaged. - Facts: A federal policy offered contractors working for the government extra compensation for hiring racial minority businesses Issue: What standard of review? Holding: Strict scrutiny for racial classifications.

Bush v Gore

2000 (5-4 decision) Supreme Court declaration that Florida vote recount violated equal protection clause; ended Gore's challenge to 2000 election results by ruling that no recount of the 2000 presidential election was feasible in a reasonable time period. Power of judicial review effectively decided presidential election.

District of Columbia v Heller

2008 (5-4 decision) Citizens have a right to possess firearms at home for self-defense.

Citizens United v. FEC

2010 (5-4 decision) Court decision that independent expenditures are free speech protected by the 1st Amendment and so cannot be limited by federal law. Corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts in elections. - Leads to creation of Super PACs & massive rise in amount of third party electioneering (Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow)

National Federation of Independent Business v Sebelius

2012 (5-4 decision) Upheld the mandate (under the ACA) that most Americans have health insurance.

United States v Windsor

2013 (5-4 decision) Federal government must provide benefits to legally married same-sex couples.

Shelby County v Holder

2013 (5-4 decision) States and localities do not need federal approval to change voting laws.

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores

2014 court decision that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 does allow a for-profit company to deny its employees health coverage of contraception based on the religious objections of the company's owners to which the employees would otherwise be entitled to have under the ACA.

Obergefell v Hodges

2015 (5-4 decision) Same-sex marriage is legalized across all 50 states.

Endrew F. v Douglas County School District

2017 (8-0 decision) ruled in favor of a higher standard of education for children with disabilities. - Chief Justice Roberts' majority opinion stated that a child's "educational program must be appropriately ambitious in light of his circumstances" and that "every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives."

Zurcher v Stanford Daily

A 1978 Supreme Court decision holding that a proper search warrant could be applied to a newspaper as well as to anyone else without necessarily violating the First Amendment rights to freedom of the press.

Planned Parenthood v Casey

A 1992 case in which the Supreme Court loosened its standard for evaluating restrictions on abortion from one of "strict scrutiny" of any restraints on a "fundamental right" to one of "undue burden" that permits considerably more regulation.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

A person who cannot afford an attorney may have one appointed by the government; overruled part of Betts v. Brady

Schenck v. US (1919)

Can limit free speech when there is a "clear and present danger"

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review

Ex Parte Merryman (1861)

Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus during the war was ruled unconstitutional

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

Schools can't use admission quotas and admit students solely on the basis of their race.

Abington Township v Schemp

The 1963 decision that the Pennsylvania law and Abington's policy, requiring public school students to participate in classroom religious exercises, violates the religious freedom of students as protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments and encroached on both the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Lemon v Kurtzman

The 1971 Supreme Court decision that established that aid to church-related schools must (1) have a secular legislative purpose; (2) have a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits religion; and (3) not foster excessive government entanglement with religion.

Miller v. Johnson

The 1995 court decision that racial gerrymandering of the congressional redistricting process was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. Race was the "overriding, predominant force" in the redistricting process which caused it to be unconstitutional.

Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)

University of Michigan's law school admission program was sufficiently "narrowly tailored" to consider race as a factor in admission decisions in order to *achieve goal of a diverse student body*

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

a slave couldn't sue in federal court because he was property, not a citizen. US Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in territories and slaves, as private property, could not be taken away without due process and they could not sue because they were not citizens

Roe v. Wade (1973)

a state ban on all abortions was unconstitutional, permitted states to limit abortions to protect the mother's health in the second trimester, and permitted states to protect the fetus during the third trimester.

Munn v. Illinois (1877)

allowed states to regulate certain businesses within their borders

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US (1964)

businesses can't discriminate against black people or women when providing goods and services.

Chisholm v. Georgia (1793)

citizens of one state have the right to sue another state in federal court.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

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

Hammer v. Dagenhart (1918)

declared the Keating-Owen Act (an anti-child labor law) unconstitutional on the grounds that it was an invasion of state authority. Later overturned by US v. Darby.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

implied right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution

Loving v. Virginia (1967)

invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

legalized state ordered segregation so long as the facilities for blacks and whites were equal; "separate but equal"

Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

protected property rights and asserted the right to invalidate state laws in conflict with the Constitution

Baker v. Carr (1962)

reapportionment for electoral districts is a judicial matter; led to Reynolds v. Sims which established "one man, one vote"

Betts v. Brady (1942)

refusing counsel to an indigent man did not violate the Sixth Amendment

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

regulating interstate commerce is a power reserved to the federal government

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

ruled that federal law was stronger than the state law (in this case, Maryland tried taxing a national bank)

Lawrence v. Texas (2003)

state law may not ban same-sex sexual relations

Shelley v. Kraemer (1948)

tried to remove racial covenants on real estate.

Bailey v. Patterson (1962)

unconstitutional for transportation facilities like bus and train stations to be racially segregated.

Muller v. Oregon (1908)

upheld Oregon state restrictions on the working hours of women as justified by the special state interest in protecting women's health; side effect was justification for sex discrimination in legislation

US v. Darby (1941)

upheld child-labor provisions of Fair Labor Standards; overturned Hammer v. Dagenhart