-
Marbury vs. Madison
The Supreme Court decision on this case that James Madison could not refuse the appointment of William Marbury to the Supreme Court. More importantly, this is the case where ¨judicial review¨ came into play in the court, which has been used in countless court decisions since then. -
Dred Scott vs. Sandford
The Supreme Court ruled that even though Scott was living in the slave-free state of Illinois, that does not give him freedom or American citizenship. They based this ruling on the fact that his ancestors were imported into America and were slaves. This case is known to be one of the key factors in the Civil War. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Homer Plessy was a black man traveling on a train in a seat that was reserved for whites. He was arrested when asked to move, and he argued that his 14th Amendment rights were being violated. The Supreme Court ruled that the new phrase ¨separate but equal¨ did not violate the 14 Amendment. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. This also overrides the ¨separate but equal¨ claims made in the Plessy vs. Ferguson case, which put America on the right track towards desegregation. -
Mapp vs. Ohio
Dollree Mapp was suspected to be hiding a bomber in her house. The police searched her house, without a warrant, and found no bomber, but pornographic material, which she was arrested for. The Supreme Court ruled that Mapp´s 4th Amendment right of ¨illegal searches and seizures¨ was violated. This case redefined how police can obtain evidence. -
Gideon vs. Wainwright
The Supreme Court ruled that state courts must appoint attorneys to people that could not afford them on their own. This all came from Clarence Gideon not being able to afford an attorney. He tried to represent himself in court and did a poor job, and the court thought that was unfair to him. -
Miranda vs. Arizona
Ernesto Miranda was arrested on rape and kidnapping charges, and in the process, he self-incriminated himself because he didn´t know his rights. The Supreme Court ruled that because of this case, law enforcement must read all suspects their ¨miranda rights¨ -
Loving vs. Virginia
Milfred Jeter and Richard Loving were an interracial married couple, who were married in D.C. When they returned home to Virginia they were arrested because inter-racial marriage was illegal. They sued and the Supreme Court ruled that the law was unconstitutional. -
Roe vs. Wade
Texas had a law that made abortion illegal unless by doctor´s order if the woman was dying. Jane Rose filed against this to the Dallas County district attorney saying the law was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled that law was unconstitutional and the state could not regulate the women´s decision. -
District of Columbia vs. Heller
Richard Heller was a security guard who could not carry his gun at his home because of a D.C. law. He and five others sued and the Supreme Court ruled that you do have the right to protect yourself with a firearm at your house.
