Supreme Court Cases

Roper v. Simmons 2005 The death penalty as a punishment for minors is unconstitutional according to the 8th amendment’s cruel and unusual punishment clause

Brown v. Board of Education 1954 This case was actually a class action lawsuit with one named plaintiff who was an African American student who was denied access to an all white public school. The case challenged the separate but equal doctrine and overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

Miranda v. Arizona 1966 The Supreme Court overturned a kidnapping and rape conviction and ordered a retrial at the state level because the suspect had not been informed of his rights at the time of his arrest.

Roe v. Wade 1973 Women have the right to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.

Tinker v. Des Moines 1969 The wearing of armbands to protest war is acceptable under the 1st amendment’s free speech clause.

Kelo v. City of New London 2005 The 5th amendment’s eminent domain clause can apply if the government takes land to sell to a private party for economic development purposes that can benefit the public.

Plessy v. Ferguson 1896 The Supreme Court upheld a Louisiana law requiring separate but equal rail cars for African Americans and whites. This allowed for the continuation of the separate but equal doctrine.

TX v. Johnson 1989 The 1st amendment’s freedom of speech clause protects the burning of the U.S. flag.

Gideon v. Wainwright 1963 Defendants are provided with an attorney no matter the crime (6th amendment right to counsel).

Schenck v. U.S. 1919 Urging others to resist the draft or to not enlist in the military during a time of war is not protected by the 1st amendment’s freedom of speech clause because it presents a “clear and present danger” to the country’s security.

U.S. v. Nixon 1974 The President’s use of executive privilege is not valid if it is hindering a criminal investigation.

Engel v. Vitale 1962 Prayer in public schools is unconstitutional based on the 1st amendment’s Establishment Clause that calls for separation of church and state.

Bush v. Gore 2000 Florida had widespread voter problems on Election Day and the presidential race was very close. Florida law allowed for a manual vote recount that was started in four counties with widespread voting problems on Election Day. The Supreme Court ordered the manual recount stop because it did not provide the same protection (14th am. equal protection clause) to all ballots in the state. The winner of the presidential race in Florida was determined by the original results from Election Day.

Mapp v. OH 1962 Evidence gained through illegal police searches (ex Mapp v. OH 1962 Evidence gained through illegal police searches (ex. -Searching without a search warrant) cannot be used against the person from who it was seized because it violates an individual’s 4th amendment rights

Regents of the University of CA v Regents of the University of CA v. Bakke 1978 This case stems from a claim of reverse discrimination because of affirmative action and basing admission to universities and their programs on race is not acceptable. The Supreme Court ruled race could not be the only factor for admissions.