Landmark Supreme Court Decisions

MARBURY V MADISON(1803) In the Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress gave the Supreme Court the authority to hear cases which it did not have the authority to hear….so they ruled it unconstitutional- Judicial Review is born

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) This decision stated that the federal government could do things not listed in the Constitution if it helped fulfill another duty and that the federal government is superior to state governments.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832) This decision stated that the federal government has power over Native American tribes and state governments do not.

Scott v. Sanford (1857) This decision stated that slaves were property without the same rights as free citizens.

In Re Debs (1895) This decision stated that the government can force a union to return to work if the strike negatively effects the whole nation.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) This decision stated that it was legal to keep whites and blacks separated in public places if both had equal accommodations.

Schenk v. United States (1919) This decision stated that the government could limit what people say, especially during times of war, to protect the nation.

Gitlow v. New York (1925) reversed an 1833 case by saying that the Bill of Rights can be enforced in the states (incorporation)

Korematsu v. U.S. (1944) This decision stated that the government can imprison people of a specific race if the nation was at war and security was at issue.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) This decision stated that people of all races were entitled to the same accommodations because segregation created inequality.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) This decision stated that if the police conduct an illegal investigation the evidence they find cannot be used in court.

Baker v. Carr (1962) This decision stated that the federal government could intervene in state redistricting issues

Engle v. Vitale (1962) Court decided that school sponsored prayer is unconstitutional

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) This decision stated that the accused are guaranteed a right to a lawyer, even if they personally cannot afford one.

Abington v. Schempp(1963) Court declared school sponsored bible reading to be unconstitutional

Heart of Atlanta v. U.S. (1964) This decision stated that private businesses in states cannot discriminate against minorities because the federal government has made such discrimination illegal.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) This decision stated that people being arrested must know that they have rights and what those rights are. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) This decision stated that students are able to express their views at school so long as it does not disrupt their education.

Reed v. Reed (1971) This decision stated that laws cannot discriminate between men and women (specifically treating women as inferiors).

Lemon v. Kurtz (1971) This case established religion and government boundaries…came to be known as the “Lemon Test”

New York Times v. U.S. (1971) This decision stated that newspapers can print articles that are critical of the government, but not those that endanger security.

U.S. v. Nixon (1974) This decision stated that the president is not above the law and even he must answer to the Supreme Court and the law.

Texas v. Johnson (1989) This decision stated that people have the right to freedom of speech even if the speech is offensive to some people.

Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier (1988) Case decided how much freedom of speech students and student publications actually have

Vernonia School District v Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995) This decision stated that students, especially those who are in extracurricular activities, are subject to random drug testing.

Gratz v. Bollinger (2003) This decision stated that schools cannot give an advantage to minority applicants in admissions but can choose a minority applicant over a white student if all else is equal.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) Court ruled that it could not restrict campaign contributions from corporations, labor unions etc.