-
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) fundamentally changed American criminal justice by ensuring that "lawyers in criminal courts are necessities, not luxuries". It led to the retrial of Gideon. The case is a cornerstone of criminal defense rights and laid the foundation for public defender systems nationwide. U.S. Supreme Court case, enforcing the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of legal representation through the Fourteenth Amendment's application to the states. -
Barker v. Wingo (1972)Supreme Court case that established a balancing test to determine whether a defendant’s right to a speedy trial under the Sixth Amendment has been violated, considering factors like delay length, reasons for delay, and prejudice to the defendant. -
D.C v. Heller (2008) Supreme Court case that decided individuals have a constitutional right to own guns for self-defense in their homes, not just as members of a militia. -
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)established that police must inform suspects of their rights—like the right to remain silent and to an attorney—before questioning, to protect against self-incrimination. -
Furman Vs. Georgia (1972)temporarily halted the death penalty in the U.S., ruling that its inconsistent and arbitrary application violated the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. -
Engel Vs. Vitale (1962) U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled it unconstitutional for public schools to require students to recite a state-sponsored prayer, as it violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause separating church and state. -
Schenck Vs. U.S (1919)Supreme Court case that ruled that free speech can be limited if it poses a “clear and present danger” to national security, like distributing anti-draft leaflets during World War I. -
De Jonge Vs. Oregon (1937) Supreme Court case that said states cannot punish people for peacefully assembling, even if the group or ideas are unpopular or controversial. Strengthening civil liberties and making it harder for states to target people or groups just for their beliefs. The ruling reinforced the idea that expressing ideas even radical ones peacefully is a basic constitutional right. -
Mapp Vs. Ohio (1961)ruled that evidence obtained illegally, without a proper search warrant, cannot be used in state courts -
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) Supreme Court case where the Court ruled that the Constitution protects the right of married couples to use contraception, establishing a constitutional right to marital privacy. This case was for the right to privacy in American law, influencing later decisions about contraception, abortion, and intimate relationships. It marked the first time the Supreme Court recognized a right to privacy in matters of marriage and family life. -
Benton v. Maryland (1969) Supreme Court case that ruled the Fifth Amendment's protection against double jeopardy applies to state courts, not just federal cases. It made sure that all Americans—including those tried in state courts—are protected from being tried twice for the same crime. This case helped expand the rights of defendants and established a major precedent about the application of constitutional protections to the states.