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Korematsu v. United States
Due to the bombings on Pearl Harbor, "President Franklin D. Rosevelt signed an executive order forcing many West Coast Japanese and Japanese Americans into internment camps" (Streetlaw.org, 2010). Fred Korematsu did not comply with these orders and he was convicted of violating an executive order. His conviction was upheld because his internment was an executive order in favor of protecting American citizens (Streetlaw.org). -
Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark case ended segregration of public schools. Referring to the Fourteenth Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that African-American children were not provided the same access to education as were white children. (Justia, 2012). Fighting segration after it was abolished, African Americans waged a war fighting for equal assess to public education for their childen. -
Mapp v. Ohio
Upon decision of this case, any "evidence secured by the police through unreasonable searches must be excluded from trial" ( Roth, 2011, p. 280-281). The unlawful recovery of evidence violated the Fourteenth Amendment based on the ruling police officers forced themselves into the Mapp home without a search warrant or her permission -
Gideon v. Wainwright
Gideon v. Wainwright revolutionized to the right to have counsel present during trial. If an individual cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to them whether they are indigent or a prisoner. -
Miranda v. Arizona
Miranda v. Arizona changed the way law enforcement conducted interrogation of suspects. "According to the Warren Court's majority decision, all individuals must be notified of their constitutional rights, including the right to have an attorney present during questioning" (Findlaw.com, 2012). -
Tinker v. Des Moines
During the Vietnam War, numerous students attended an anti-war protest with their parents where black arm bands were worn to signify their cause. Subsequently, the students wore the arm bands to school and they were suspended because of their refusal to remove them. Their fight was upheld in the Supreme Court where it was ruled that the arm bands did not distrupt school instruction and it violated the First Amendment when ordered to remove them (Oyez.org, 2012). -
Roe v. Wade
This landmark case gave women a limited right to an abortion. It proved that the decision is a private matter that should be governed by the individual; however, the Courts decided that some provisions would be included to ensure that everyone is safe. (Roth, 2011, p. 282). This decision and debate has deeply divided supporters and opponents of abortion where picketing, violence, and campaigns have been waged in support of their opinion. -
New Jersey v. T. L. O.
A young female adult was caught smokng in the bathroom at school. When brought before the principal for questioning, he decided to check her purse and it was full of illegal materials. These findings led to her having charges filed against her. The case came before the Supreme Court where it was decided that the principal violated her privacy and the search was unreasonable per the Fourth Amendment (Findlaw.com, 2012). -
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
This case brought the question of free speech in public schools to the forefront. After a principal deleted articles in a school newspaper that he believed were too risque, the students argued his decision in Court (Oyez.org, 2012). The Supreme ruled that schools have the ability to censor information and this does not violate the First Amendment. -
Texas v. Johnson
In retaliation of the Reagan admistration and policies, Gregory Lee Johnson publicly burned the United States flag in protest. His subsequent arrest and imprisonment were challenged in the Supreme Court where it was decided that he did not commit a crime (Oyez.com, 2011). Johnson's actions were protected under the First Amendment.
