marbury v. madison
established the principle of judicial review - allows congress to turn down laws that violate the constitution
roe v. wade
protects a pregnant woman's choice - pro-life v. pro-choice
dobbs v. jackson
individual states have the full power to regulate any aspect of abortion not preempted by federal law - left up to states to decide (abortion)
mcculloh v. maryland
states do not have the power to tax the federal government - broad interpretation of congress's powers under the necessary and proper clause
tinker v. des moines
1st amendment applies to all including public schools and school officials could not censor student speech - armband
obergefell v. hodges
court holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry
mcdonald v. city of chicago
the right to bear arms is protected by the 2nd amendment and the government should not interfere - allowed to own firearms without registration
citizens united v. federal election
corporations and other outside groups could spend unlimited money on elections.
shaw v. reno
redistricting based on racial reasons is unconstitutional - racial gerrymandering
NYT v. US
Government cannot use prior restraint unless issue is truly a matter of national security. - used NYT magazine to inform public on secret report
Wisconsin v. Yoder
Amish parents took kids out of school at age 16 to develop traditional beliefs. freedom of religion is important
engel v. vitale
practice of mandating public schools to recite a prayer is unconstitutional because it doesn't respect the constitutional separation between church and state
plessy v. ferguson
all people should be treated equally no matter their race - segregation by race
gideon v. wainwright
state required to provide an attorney if the defendant is unable to afford it. - right to an attorney
united states v. lopez
gun free school zone
baker v. carr
all votes are worth the same "one person, one vote"
schenck v. united states
gov can limit speech if posed a "clear and present danger" - boy who called wolf
brown v. board of education
turning point in civil rights showed separate but equal - segregation by education