Supreme Court Cases Continued Civics

Furman V Georgia 1972 William Henry Furman convicted on Murder and Sentenced to Death – Supreme Court hears his and three other African American Death Penalty Cases Is the Death Penalty Cruel and Unusual? – Poor and Minorities more routinely receive the death penalty – Ga. Argues that it is permitted under due process Supreme Court rules 5-4 death penalty is unconstitutional the way the states were applying it.

Gregg v GA 1976 Troy Gregg robs and kills two men GA allowed Jury to deliberate on the Death Penalty as long as they felt it met Aggravating circumstances. Gregg Sentenced to death and supreme court upholds the sentence

Bethel School District v Fraser 1986 Student gives a nomination speech at his school to 600 students and makes lewd sexual comments. Student is suspended and claims that his civil rights were violated. Court upholds the suspension. Lewd and Vulgar Speech is not protected at school.

Gibbons v Ogden 1984 New York grants Aaron Ogden a monopoly to operate its steam boats in NY Waters Thomas Gibbons also competed with Ogden and had a Federal Coasting license Ogden sues Gibbons to make him stop using shared Ny waters. Gibbons appeals to the Supreme Court claiming only Federal Government has a right to regulate interstate commerce Commerce Clause Supreme Court rules that Federal government has Supremacy over interstate commerce.

Mapp V. Ohio 1961 Police enter Dollree Mapps’ home without a proper search warrant Mapp is arrested for possession of obscene materials Convicted, but appeals her case to the Supreme Court ~ 4 th Amendment Violated Illegally obtained evidence can not be used in court of law.