AP Gov Court Cases

Front

Feds ask for PRIOR RESTRAINT (ability to censor something before it is published) to stop publishing the Pentagon Papers. This freedom of the press case led to a ruling that the government may not censor information unless it revels secrets involving national security.

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NY Times v. U.S. (1971)

Front

The Gun Free School Zones Act was found unconstitutional, its reliance on the power to regulate interstate trade to criminalize carrying a firearm near a school was too broad of a use of the necessary and proper clause to expand the reach of the commerce clause.

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U.S. v. LOPEZ (1995) FEDS LOSE!

Front

Members of the Amish faith challenged a state law requiring all children be educated until the age of 16. Their use of the Free Exercise clause of the 1st amendment succeeded, allowing them to choose to leave school after the 8th grade.

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Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Front

A dispute flowing from Tennessee's lack of redrawing district lines to keep up with population changes in that state, this case involves the Equal Protection clause of the 14th amendment. The SCOTUS ruled that redistricting cases were within jurisdiction, making them "justiciable". This case leads to later rulings requiring a "one man equals one vote" expectation in the country.

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Baker v. Carr (1961)

Front

A security guard is banned by law from bringing his handgun home with him. SCOTUS rules a ban on handgun ownership violates the 2nd amendment. This case is an INCORPORATION case, meaning it extended the 2nd amendment onto states and cities with its decision.

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McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Front

A case about Presidential appointments originally, this case created one of the most important precedents in history. The SCOTUS rules that it may ultimately decide if laws are constitutional or not, establishing the principle of JUDICIAL REVIEW.

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Marbury v. Madison ( 1803)

Front

A right to privacy (4th amendment) case involving state regulation of abortions, this case involves the 9th amendment as well. The SCOTUS found that a woman has an expectation of privacy in terms of reproductive decisions, and limited state ability to ban abortion.

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Roe v. Wade (1973)

Front

A Freedom of Speech case, with a new SCOTUS standard/precedent claiming that words present a "clear and present danger" of criminal action can be punished by law. A man claiming "free speech" protection for telling others to avoid the draft loses and his conviction stands.

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Schenck v. US. (1919)

Front

A question of whether the U.S. Government has the power to create a national Bank, due to its power to print money plus the Necessary and Proper clause. Also a question of whether a state can tax said bank without violating the Supremacy Clause from the Constitution. The court rules in favor of the federal government, strengthening the federal government overall.

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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Front

A freedom of speech case, answering the question of whether students can be punished for symbolic speech that could be controversial, and therefore disruptive to the education process. Students do not give up their rights when they come to school, the court ruled.

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Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)