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Marbury v. Madison
At the end of John Adams' term, his secretary failed to deliver docmunents making Marbury Justice of Peace. When, Thomas Jefferson sworn in, he told James Madison not to deliever documents to Maurbury. Maurbury sued Madison asking for a writ requiring Madison to give Marbury the documents.In the end the application for writ of mandamus was denied and Marbury doesn’t get the commission. This case defined boundaries between the constitutionally executive and judicial branches of American goverment -
McCulloch v. Maryland
Maryland wanted to close the Baltimore national bank by passing a law that forced all banks that were created outside of state to pay a yearly tax. James McCulloch reufused to pay the tax. Maryland sued saying that it had power to tax any business in state, and that the congress has no power in creating a bank. The Court favored Maryland and McCullloch appealed. This case challenged the power of the Congress and Constituion's power. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Drett Scott was purchased as a slave in 1834, and moved with his owner to a free state. When his owner died, Scott sued the widow to whom he was left, claiming he was no longer a slave because he became free after living in a free state. He lost the case and remained a slave. according to Slave Codes, Dred Scott was a slave and not a citizen and was not entitled to basic right. This case was the first of many in rights for African Americans. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
In 1890, Louisiana passed the Separate Car Act declaring that all railroad companies must provide separate but equal accommodations. In 1892, Homer Plessy( who was 1/8th black) purchased a ticket to a white designated railroad car. He was arrested and argued that it was a violation of 13th and 14th Amendments. He lost the case and served time in jail. This made the South pursue Jim Crow Laws, and influnced blacks to fight for more rights. -
Korematsu v. United States
After Pearl Harbor, Americans feared Japanese attacks and Japanese-Americans helping the enemy. In 1942, Franklin Roosevelt assigned internment camps for Japanese Americans. Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American challenged the order calling discrimination of his race. The Court decides that the counrty was more important, thus turning down Korematsu.This case was a first of the Strict Scrutiny test. -
Brown v. Broard of Education
In the 1950s, schools were segregated by race. One day, and African American named Linda Brown and her family took their case to the court, believing their rights were violated because of segregation in schools. Sergration was legal because of previous past court decisions (Plessy v. Ferguson). The court found the case in favor of Brown, and intergration began in schools everywhere. -
Mapp v. Ohio
Supicious that Dollree Mapp might be hiding a bomb suspect, the police went into her home despite having no warrant. As a result the police found pornography and charged Mapp for possession of explicit materials. Mapp argued that they had no warrant, but nonetheless was sentenced the jail. This case challenged the 4th amendment and questiong the officers role in society. -
Gideon v. Wainwright
Clarence E. Gideon was convicted of burglary at Bay Harbour Pool Room in Panama City Florida. Since he could not afford an attorney, he asked of he could obtain one. However he was denied and was left to represent himself (Which went terrible). After being in jail for two years, Gideon came back reaffirming his rights have been violated, and court ruled in his favor. This case was a gateway to a need for the 6th amendment -
Miranda v. Arizona
Ernesto Miranda was arrested after a crime victim identified him, but police officers didn't inform him of his 5th amendment or his 6th amendment. While he confessed to his crime, his attorney argued that his confession should've been excluded. Later on in the case, the court hears his appeal and favor went to Miranda. This case gave way to Miranda Rights -
Tinker vs. Des Moines
John and Mary Beth wore black armbands as a symbol of protest against America's involvement in Vietnam. School authorities suspended the students after their refusal to take them off. the School feared that this would be a distraction of academic studies. This case went to court and favored the Tinkers for their noviolent expression of speech.This case determined the question whether students had rights. -
Roe v. Wade
Jane Roe was an unmarried and pregenant resident of Texas in 1970.Texas law made it a felony to abort a fetus unless it was medical advice. In response, Roe filed a suit, arguing that it was a violation of her rights as a woman.Court was in favor of Roe and abortion was illegal in some states. This case fuel the arguements of Pro-Life v. Pro Choice. -
New Jersey v. TLO
A New Jersey high school student was accused of Violating school rules by smoking in the bathroom. The vice principal discovered weed and other items iimplicating the student in dealing drugs. The student argued, testifying that her rights were violated by the teacher. Case filed in favor of N.J. This case stil leads to the importance of students rights. -
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
Hazelwood East High School Principal Robert Reynolds procedurally reviewed the school's newspaper, before publication. He decided to have certain pages pulled because of very sensitve topics. He removed the in order to meet the deadline. The students felt this was a direct violation of their rights. Court ruled in favor of of the principal, for the justices believed that the censorship did not violate the student's First Amendment rights of free speech. -
Texas v. Johnson
In a political demonstaration of protest during the Republican Convention in Texas, Gregory Johnson doused an American flag with kerosene and set it on fire. No one was hurt, but some witnesses were seriously offended by this action. Some even call it desecrating the flag on 48 countries. Johnson was convicted in violation of the Texas Penal code (desecration of American flag), but was in favor of court because this was freedom of symbolic speech rather than a hate crime.
