Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Which principle was the focus of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

• freedom of the press

• freedom of speech

• self-incrimination

• cruel punishment

Answer explanation

Correct- The issue central to Miranda v. Arizona was the defendant’s right to remain silent to prevent self-incrimination.

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The decision in which U.S. Supreme Court case resulted in state required to provide an attorney to defendants who cannot afford one?

• District of Columbia v. Heller

• Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

• Gideon v. Wainwright

• Miranda v. Arizona

Answer explanation

Correct- The focus of Gideon v. Wainwright was the Sixth Amendment protection that criminal defendants have the right to counsel, which includes states paying for public defenders if the defendant cannot afford legal representation.

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Which statement identifies the impact of United States v. Nixon (1974)?

• Rule of law applies to the president

• Executive priviledge protects the president from judicial review.

• The U.S. Supreme Court does not have the power to intervene in presidental matters.

• The president is able to record secret conversations with foreign governments and cabinet members.

Answer explanation

Correct- The decision in the case demonstrated that being president does not make someone above the law. The president must follow the same laws as all American citizens based on the rule of law found in the U.S. Constitution.

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Which U.S. Supreme Court decsion addresses the need for public schools to balance students' right with principals' responsiblities?

• Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

• Gideon v. Wainwright

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Bush v Gore

Answer explanation

Correct- The focus of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier was on how to balance students’ rights, such as the right to free speech in a school setting, and principals’ responsibilities to manage the schools for which they are responsible.

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This excerpt is from a Supreme Court case.

Based on this excerpt, what is the significance of this case?

• It established the idea that Congress possesses powers beyond writing laws.

• It established the idea that courts can strike down laws as unconstititional

• It established the idea that courts possess the power to write laws.

• It established the idea that Congress determines what laws mean.

Answer explanation

Correct- Marbury v. Madison (this excerpt) established the concept of judicial review, or the idea that the courts interpret the extent and constitutionality of laws.

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What lesson did future U.S. leaders learn from the 1974 U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Nixon?

• The president is accountable for obeying the law

• The president is responsible for enforcing the law

• The president is not allowed to hold secret talks with foreign governments

• The president is not allowed to have private meeting with cabinet members.

Answer explanation

Correct- Nixon had tried to prevent materials from being subpoenaed in the Watergate investigation. The Court ruled that executive privilege does not apply to criminal investigations and cannot interfere with the judicial process. Rule of law states that the law applies to everyone, even the sitting president.

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Which was an outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

• Administrators may limit the content of student publications.

• Public schools districts that segregate deny equal protection.

• Students have a reduced expectation of privacy in school.

• Criminal defendants have the right to an attorney.

Answer explanation

Correct- The Brown v. Board of Education case focused on school segregation. The U.S. Supreme Court decided that public schools could not segregate students based on race. The Court decided that segregating students by race violates the equal protection guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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This is a passage from Federalist #47, written by James Madison in 1788.

Which Supreme Court decision reflects the idea that Madison described in this passage?

• U.S. v Nixon

• Miranda v. Arizona

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Gideon v. Wainwright

Answer explanation

Correct – U.S. v. Nixon showed the U.S. Supreme Court’s power to decide what the executive branch should do

Juveniles accused of crimes continue to be afforded many of the same due process rights as adults because of which U.S. Supreme Court case?

• District of Columbia v. Heller

• Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

• In re Greene

• In re Gault

Answer explanation

Correct- The U.S. Supreme Court determined in In re Gault that in criminal cases, discriminating based on age violates many due process protections. For example, denying juveniles the right to counsel or not informing them of their Miranda rights.

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This excerpt is from a Supreme Court Case.

Based on this excerpt, what long term impact did this case have on American society and government?

• It established that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

• It affirmed that education was a constitutional right.

• It supported education as an obligation of the state.

• It mandated funding for public schools.

Answer explanation

Correct- Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racially segregated schools could not be equal and were therefore unconstitutional.

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