1st Amendment SCOTUS Cases

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This case reverses a trend of expanding federal power and limits the government's ability to act pursuant to the Commerce Clause

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United States v. Lopez

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This case deals with the Free Exercise Clause of the 1st Amendment: Wisconsin v. Yoder, Roe v. Wade, Engel v. Vitale, McDonald v. Chicago

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Wisconsin v. Yoder

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Bolstered freedom of the press, establishing a "heavy presumption against prior restraint" even in cases involving national security

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New York Times Co. v. United States

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School sponsorship of religious activities (teacher led / directed prayer) violates the establishment clause

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Engel v. Vitale

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Which case decided whether a state could compel children to attend school beyond eighth grade even if it violated the students’ sincerely held religious beliefs? Options: Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972), US v Lopez (1995)

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Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

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A group unhappy with local law enforcement distributes a memo to members encouraging physical confrontations with police officers. The leaders of the group are promptly arrested. Which Supreme Court case best justifies the actions taken by law enforcement? Options: Schenck v. United States (1919), Engel v. Vitale (1962)

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Schenck v. United States (1919)

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In Engel v. Vitale (1962), which of the following provides the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s ruling?

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It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel (force) students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation.

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What legal rule was established in New York Times Company v. United States (1971) regarding the executive branch's attempt to stop the publishing of a top secret report?

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The heavy presumption against prior restraint (censorship)

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Students in public schools are allowed to wear armbands as symbolic speech.

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Tinker v. DesMoines