Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Facts |
After the 1990 census, North Carolina qualified to have a 12th district and drew it in a distinct snake-like manner in order to create a Black majority district. 5 North Carolina residents challenged the constitutionality of the district arguing it was racial gerrymandering and violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. |
Decision |
NC reapportionment plan was unconstitutional. The proposed district was so odd that there was no compelling explanation for its shape other than separating voters by race. Although district plans may take racial considerations into account, race cannot be the predominant factor in drawing districts. |
Key Principle |
Equal Protection |
Wisconsin v Yoder
Facts |
Three Amish families from Wisconsin took their kids out of school after 8th grade. This broke the compulsory education law because kids have to go to school until they are 16 years old. Yoder and other parents sued claiming that Wisconsin violated their free exercise of religion. |
Decision |
By a unaminous decision, it was decided that school cannot overide freedom of religion. |
Key Principle |
1A free exercise of religion |
McDonald v Chicago 2010
Facts |
Had hunting guns but wanted a hand gun because crime was bad in his neighborhood and he had been robbed five times. Hunting guns were ineffective for self defense, but hand guns were. Due to Chicago gun laws he could not get one so he sued Chicago. |
Ruling |
The supreme court sided with McDonald, and stated that the 14th amendment makes the second amendment applicable to the states. |
Principal |
a2 right to bare arms is applicable to the States. |
Baker v Carr
Facts |
The city population has grown a lot but the rural areas were very sparse. Baker sued Tennessee secretary of state for more equal representation. |
Ruling |
The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over questions of legislative apportionment. |
Principle |
14th amendment equal protection clause. |
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Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Facts |
New York State Board of Regents authorized a short, voluntary prayer at the start of each school day. A group of organizations challenged the prayer claiming it violated the Establishment Clause. |
Decision |
State cannot hold prayers in public schools, even if participation is not required. |
Key Principle |
Establishment Clause of 1A |
Tinker v Des Moines
Facts |
Students from the Tinker family wore arm bands to protest aggainst the Vietnam War, but were suspended due to it being political. The parents sued and claimed that it was a violation of 1A freedom of Speach. |
Decision |
The court aggreed that it was a violation of 1A rights. They created substantial disruption tests for future decisisons. |
Key Principle |
1A freedom of speech |
Schenck vs United States
Facts |
During WW1, Schenck distributed leaflets claiming that the draft violates the third amendment, and he encourage people to refuse to the draft. This caused him to break the espionage Act of 1917. He believed his first amendment rights were violated. |
Decision |
Schenck's rights were not violated because the first amendment does not protect speech that leads to present danger. Unanimous vote |
Principle |
1a freedom of speech |
Gideon v Wainwrite
Facts |
In Florida, the only time they gave the defendant a lawyer was when they commited a capital offense. So he did not get a lawyer and was put into jail. So he appealed because his sixth amendment rights are violated (right to an attorny. |
Ruling |
unaminous decision that Gideon should of had a lawyer |
Principle |
a6 right to attourney. |
US v Lopez
Facts |
Lopez brought a gun to school and was charged for his crime. Then the crime was charged federally. They challanged that because bringing a gun to school has nothing to do with the commerce clause. |
Ruling |
Possesion of a gun at school is in no sense an economic activity that affects inter state commerce. Federal Government had over stepped its bounds. |
Principle |
Commerce clause, federalism. |
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Marbury v. Madison
Facts |
At the end of President John Adams’ term, Marbury did not receive docs to finalize his commission as Justice of the Peace. President Thomas Jefferson's new administration refused to deliver the docs. Marbury sued Madison (the Sec of State) and asked the Supreme Court to issue a writ to force delivery. |
Decision |
The Court found that Madison’s refusal to deliver the commission was illegal, but did not force Madison to deliver docs. Instead, the Court held that the provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789 enabling Marbury to bring his claim to the Supreme Court was itself unconstitutional. Marshall established the principle of judicial review - the power to declare a law unconstitutional. |
Key Principle |
Judicial Review |
New York Times v US
Facts |
NY Times published pentagon papers which exposed government lies regarding the Vietnam War. Nixon try to bar further publication based on prior restraint. |
Decision |
6-3. Government could not use prior restraint because it was unconstitutional use of using it. |
Principle |
1a freedom of press |
Brown v board of ed.
Facts |
Challenged separate but equal in schools. |
Decision |
Separate but equal facilities are unequal. |
Principal |
A14 equal protection clause |
McCullough v Maryland
Facts |
US Government set up a national bank, which made the state of Maryland mad because Maryland banks now must compete against the national bank. So they put a big tax on the National bank. McCullough, the bank cashier, refused to pay the tax and was fined for 2500 dollars. He appealed |
Ruling |
US can put the bank in Maryland, and states cannot tax national government. |
Principle |
Necessary and proper clause, supremacy clause. |
Citizens United v FEC
Facts |
Citizens United sued because a movie against Hillary Clinton could not be released due to Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). So they sued to change this. |
Ruling |
It was unconstitutional because it violated the people's First amendment right. Applied bill of rights to a corporation |
Principle |
1a freedom of speach, |
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