Land Mark Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison

Nov 27, 1803

This case was about a man who was told not to give the Supreme Court Marbury's documents. The court ruled for Madison. Madison won because of the Judicial Act of 1789. This case had an effect on our country because it created a working Judicial review.

McCullouch v. Maryland

Nov 27, 1819

This case was about Maryland enacting a law for businesses to pay taxes and McCullouch did not comply to the new law that was enforced. The court ruled for McCullouch because Maryland did not have the power to rule that on a Federal Government. This effected the country because it showed balance throughout the federalism, federal power, and states' power.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Nov 27, 1857

This case is about a slave who sought for freedom under the Missouri Compromise. The court ruled for Sanford because during that time the 13th and 14th amendments of the Constitution. This case effected our country because it makes sure that all African Americans have all their rights.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Nov 29, 1896

This case was about a man who had an eighth of black in him named Homer Plessy. Plessy was ordered to sit with the other blacks. The court went for Plessy because of "separate but equal" act. This case's effect on the world was that it established the legality of racial segragation.

Korematsu v. U.S.

Nov 29, 1944

This case was about Fred Korematsu refused to obey the wartime order to leave his home and report to a relocation because of the war between the Japenesee and Americans. The court ruled for the U.S. because during that time there were racial segregation between the Japanesee and Americans.

Brown v. Board of Ed Topeka KS

Nov 29, 1954

This case was about intergrating schools. Can blacks work with whites in the same environment? The court ruled for Brown because it is unconstitutional for racism within schools. This case had a major effect on our country because it was a big step towards intergrating everything.

Mapp v. Ohio

Dec 7, 1961

This case was about police who went into this black lady's house and searched her house without a search warrant. They go in her house for with a warrant for something else and find other illegal possesions. This case was ruled for Mapp because they said "We hold that all evidence obtained by searches and seizures in violation of the Constituion is by that same authority, inadmissible in a state court." This case was important to the United States because it allowed the privacy in homes.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Dec 7, 1963

This case was about a man who was framed for stealing objects from a lounge also the fact that Gideon didn't have enough money for a lawyer. The judges ruled for Gideon because evidence and witness testimony was pointed toward the truth. The impact of the case has been huge for poor defendants who in the past may have been lost and railroaded at trial without the help of an attorney.

Miranda v. Arizona

Dec 7, 1966

This case is about the Miranda rights. This man was interrogated not knowing any of his rights. The court ruled for Miranda because everyone should have the knowledge of their rights before any consequences. This impacted the country greatly because it gives everyone a refresher of what they can or should not say.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Dec 7, 1969

This case was about a few kids who wore armbands to school to show their protest against American involvement in the Vietnam war. Tinker won the case because the judges found that the kids had the right to wear the armbands during school. This case impacted the country because it allows children/ teens to wear things that you believe in but not in an inappropriate way.

Roe v. Wade

Dec 7, 1973

This case was about a lady who wanted to get an abortion in Texas but was rejected the acceptance.

NJ v. T.L.O

Dec 7, 1985

This case was about two kids who got caught smoking in the school bathroom. The principle searched through one of the girl's purse and found Top papers and assumed she was selling drugs inside of school. The case was for NJ because smoking was permitted however they were still under the age and they had the right to search her purse. This case impacted the country because it showed everyone how much privacy they really do have in school.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

Dec 7, 1988

Texas v. Johnson

Dec 7, 1989