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