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SCOTUS Cases - AP GOV Flashcards

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13329303827McCulloch v. MarylandMaryland tries to tax Bank of US; Court finds that they CANNOT do this; Congress CAN make a National Bank (Elastic Clause); National Government is supreme (Supremacy Clause)0
13329303828Barron v. BaltimoreMan sues State citing the 5th Amendment; Court refuses to hear the case.; Bill of Rights ONLY apply to the Federal Government, not states.1
13329303829South Dakota v. DoleStates told to raise drinking age to 21 or lose funding for Highways; Court Ruled that this was OK; Increased Federal Government power over states2
13329303830Fletcher v. PeckCourt rules that States cannot pass laws that impair contracts made in good faith; 1st time the Court overturns a STATE law.3
13329303831D.C. v. HellerLaw bans handguns in homes; Court says NO; Right to Bear Arms for self-defense is a fundamental right and can't be denied.4
13329303832McDonald v. ChicagoHeller case establishes that right to bear arms is fundamental right. Does it apply to states? Court says yes. Incorporates 2nd Amendment.5
13329303833Gibbons v. OgdenDispute over ferry licenses; Federal Government wins; National Government is Supreme (Supremacy Clause); Court BROADLY defines INTERSTATE Commerce (Commerce Clause) so Federal Government can get involved in almost anything6
13329303834US v. LopezUS Law create "Gun-Free Zones" around schools; Court says NO.; Commerce Clause cannot be used for ANYTHING, limits Commerce Clause7
13329303835Heart of Atlanta Motel v. USHotel refused to serve African-Americans; Court ruled that Federal Government could stop them; Commerce Clause used to end segregation8
13329303836Printz v. US"Brady Bill" required state cops to perform background checks before guns could be purchased, even though it was a federal law; Court says NO.; Federal Government cannot make states carry out the functions of the Fed Gov't9
13329303837US v. MorrisonWoman is raped at Virginia Tech. Rapist is not punished. She sues under the Federal Violence Against Women Act.; Court says that the law is unconstitutional.; Since the VAWA didn't involve interstate commerce, Congress doesn't have that power.10
13329303838Marbury v. MadisonMidnight Judges; Marbury sues based on a Congressional Law; Court finds that law violates Constitution so is VOID Establishes Judicial Review11
13329303839US v. NixonNixon had recordings from Oval Office and refused to give them up during Watergate investigation; claimed "Executive Privilege"; Court orders him to deliver tapes; Executive Privilege DOES exist, but is not GUARANTEED12
13329303840INS v. ChadhaFederal law gives Congress a "legislative veto". Court says NO.; Legislative Vetoes give Congress too much power and are unconstitutional.13
13329303841Engel v. VitalePublic school required non-denominational prayer every morning. Court says NO; Outlawed prayer of any kind in Public School14
13329303842Abington SD v. SchemppStudents forced to recite bible verses in public school; Court says NO.; Reading bible violates Establishment Clause.15
13329303843Lemon v. KurtzmanState passes law that allows government to pay for non-religion teacher at religious school; Court says NO; Lemon Test Created: Can't advance or inhibit religion, Must be for secular purpose, Must avoid entanglement b/w religion and gov't16
13329303844Lee v. WeismanPublic school opens graduation ceremony with a prayer. Court says NO.; Since ceremony is a gov't event, prayer violates the Establishment Clause.17
13329303845Wallace v. JaffreeKids in public school were forced to observe a moment of silence for "meditation or voluntary prayer"; Court says NO; Violated Establishment Clause18
13329303846Everson v. Board of EducationState law reimburses parents for using school bus, even at Catholic Schools; Court says OK.; School Bus is a basic service (like fire dept), so it does not violate Establishment Clause.19
13329303847Reynolds v. USState law outlaws polygamy. Mormons sue. Court upholds law.; All religious beliefs are protected, but NOT all religious practices. States can ban polygamy.20
13329303848Wisconsin v. YoderAmish parents sued to have their students removed from school after 8th grade because it is against their beliefs. Court said OK.; This is protected under the Free-Exercise Clause21
13329303849Oregon v. SmithNative Americans were fired for using Peyote as part of a religious ceremony. The Court upheld the firing.; States can limit the free-exercise of religion if it involves illegal activities.22
13329303850Jacobson v. MassachusettsState law required vaccinations of children. Jacobson refused on religious grounds. The Court upheld the law.; Free-Exercise can be limited if it serves a compelling government interest.23
13329303851West Virginia v. BarnetteJehovah's Witnesses refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance in school and were punished; Court says NO; Students cannot be forced to say Pledge if it's against their religious beliefs.24
13329303852Gitlow v. New YorkGitlow arrested for advocating communism and overthrow of Government. Court upholds his conviction - BUT - Freedom of Speech is protected from States too; BEGINS INCORPORATION PROCESS25
13329303853Schenck v. USSchenck found guilty of violating Sedition Act by distributing anti-war pamphlets during WWI.; Court upholds conviction.; Free Speech CAN be limited; Creates "Clear-and-Present Danger" Test26
13329303854Tinker v. Des MoinesStudents suspended for wearing arm-band in protest of Vietnam War; Court says NO; Symbolic Speech protected too; Students don't lose rights "at schoolhouse gates".27
13329303855Texas v. JohnsonJohnson arrested for burning US Flag in protest. Court says NO; Symbolic Speech Protected, even if we don't like it.28
13329303856Chaplinsky v. New HampshireMan arrested for shouting insults and "fighting words" at police officer. Court upholds conviction.; Certain types of speech not protected by 1st Amendment.29
13329303857Miller v. CaliforniaState law bans sending obscene material through the mail. The Court says OK. Creates Obscenity Test: Avg person finds it elicits lust, Avg person finds it offensive, Lacks political, artistic, scientific value.30
13329303858Dennis v. USCommunist leaders convicted of trying to overthrow the government. Court says OK.; Speech that advocates the violent overthrow of the US is not protected by the 1st Amendment.31
13329303859Near v. MinnesotaState law stops newspapers from publishing "lewd or lascivious" material. Court says NO.; Limiting Free Press is rarely ok. Prior Restraint is (almost) never OK.32
13329303860Hazelwood v. KuhlmeierPrincipal at school removed 2 articles from student newspaper. Court says it is OK.; Prior Restraint is ok in schools to maintain good learning environment.33
13329303861New York Times v. SullivanNY Times published ad in defense of MLK Jr, that was unfavorable of city officials in Alabama. The officials sued for Libel because some of the facts were incorrect. Court says NO.; In order for libel to be true against public officials, actual malice must be proven.34
13329303862Roth v. USA man is arrested for selling obscene books. The Court says OK., Obscenity is not protected by the 1st Amendment.35
13329303863New York Times v.USPentagon Papers Case; NYT wants to publish leaked, classified documents. Government tries to stop them. Court says they can publish the documents.; The documents would not create a "clear-and-present danger", so prior restraint is not allowed.36
13329303864Brandenburg v. OhioKKK leader gives a speech and was arrested for promoting unlawful acts. Court overturns the conviction.; The speech must be likely to incite lawless acts in order to be prohibited.37
13329303865NAACP v. AlabamaAlabama wanted to stop NAACP, so they passed a law that required them to make their membership public; Court says NO.; Freedom of Association is protected if there is no "overriding valid state interest" to limit it.38
13329303866Boy Scouts of America v. DaleBoy Scouts exclude Homosexuals from organization; Court says its OK; Freedom of Association allows private groups to exclude people if they go against the groups fundamental principles.39
13329303867Mapp v. OhioWoman arrested after an illegal search finds obscene material; Court throws out evidence. ; Creates Exclusionary Rule: Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court40
13329303868Miranda v. ArizonaMiranda confesses to crime after interrogation because he didn't know his rights; Court says NO; Not knowing rights doesn't take them away. Creates Miranda Rights: Police must inform suspects of rights before arrest41
13329303869Gideon v. WainwrightGideon found guilty because he couldn't afford a lawyer. Court overturns conviction.; Right to an attorney, even for those who cannot afford it. Creates Public Defenders Office.42
13329303870Escobedo v. IllinoisEscobedo asks for lawyer, but cops say no and continue to question him; he eventually confesses; Court throws out conviction. Once a lawyer is requested, questioning must stop. "Absolute Right" to remain silent.43
13329303871California v. AcevedoTrunk of car is searched because cops have probable cause that there are drugs inside. Drugs are found and man is arrested. Court says OK. Containers can be searched (without a warrant) in cars if there is probable cause that evidence is inside.44
13329303872US v. LeonCops search house with a search warrant that was incorrectly given. Drugs are found and man is arrested. Court says OK. Relaxes "exclusionary rule"; Creates Good-Faith Exception: If cops act in "good faith", evidence can still be used45
13329303873New Jersey v. TLOStudent is caught smoking in bathroom. Her bag is searched and rolling papers are found. She is suspended. Court upholds her suspension. Students have 4th Amendment rights BUT, probable cause isn't needed, just reasonable suspicion46
13329303874Katz v. USCops tap public phones without a warrant and catch Katz gambling. Court overturns conviction. 4th Amendment can't intrude on "reasonable expectation of privacy", which include private phone calls.47
13329303875Furman v. GeorgiaFurman is sentenced to death for Murder; Court says NO.; Death penalty is given out too randomly (usually along racial lines) 2-tier trial system put in place: 1st = guilt/innocence, 2nd = death penalty/life in prison48
13329303876Gregg v. GeorgiaGregg is sentenced to death for Murder. Court says OK. Death Penalty is NOT cruel and unusual punishment if applied fairly.49
13329303877Griswold v. ConnecticutState law bans the sale and use of contraception; Court says NO. Creates Right to Privacy50
13329303878Roe v. WadeRoe wants an Abortion but Texas law says they are illegal; Court allows abortion. Right to Privacy includes abortion. States cannot ban abortion in 1st or 2nd trimester.51
13329303879Webster v. Reproductive Health ServicesLimits placed on Abortions; Court says OK. Abortion STILL LEGAL, but states can limit it as long as limits are reasonable.52
13329303880Planned Parenthood v. CaseyStates further limit abortion; Court says OK; Abortion STILL LEGAL, but states can further limit it. Creates Undue Burden Standard: Limits cannot place undue burden on mothers.53
13329303881Reed v. ReedState law gives preference to men over women in executing a will; Court says NO; Laws differentiating men and women cannot be arbitrary. Must be more than "reasonable".54
13329303882Rostker v. GoldbergDraft laws exclude women; Court says OK; Congress can draft men, but exclude women55
13329303883US v. VirginiaVMI, a military school in Virginia, does not allow women to enroll. Court says NO. Women are allowed to join military schools56
13329303884Loving v. VirginiaState law outlaws inter-racial marriage.; Court says NO; Government had no compelling reason to ban inter-racial marriages. Marriage is a personal, not government, matter.57
13329303885Lawrence v. TexasTexas law bans homosexuality; Court says NO; States cannot ban homosexuality.58
13329303886Windsor v. USDefense of Marriage Act states that Federal Government only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman - even if individual states recognize gay marriage; Court says NO.; Marriage is a State issue and Federal Government cannot define it.59
13329303887Obergefell v. HodgesSome states ban same-sex marriage, and refuse to recognize legal same-sex marriages from other states; Court says NO; Same-sex marriage is legal in every state.60
13329303888Scott v. SanfordDred Scott, a slave, sues for his freedom because his owner moved to a "free state"; Court says NO. Slaves are property and so can be moved anywhere and also cannot sue in court because property has no legal rights.61
13329303889Plessy v. FergusonJim Crow Laws segregate blacks and whites; Court says OK; Creates Separate-but-Equal Doctrine62
13329303890Brown v. Board of EducationBlack girl wants to go to white school; Court says OK; Separate-but-equal is inherently unequal; Outlaws school segregation.63
13329303891Swann v. Charlotte Mecklenburg BOEAfter Brown, schools desegregated slowly. Court orders "Busing" to achieve racial balance. Busing legal; the existence of all-black schools is considered an attempt to discriminate.64
13329303892Korematsu v. USJapanese Internment during WWII; Court says OK; National Security more important than individual liberties.65
13329303893Regents of University of California v. BakkeWhite man denied access to UC Davis because of Affirmative Action; Court says NO; Numerical Quotas illegal, but race can be a factor in deciding in college admissions.66
13329303894Gratz v. BollingerWhite student denied access to University of Michigan because of automatic point system for minorities; Court says NO. Automatic points based on race is arbitrary and unreasonable.67
13329303895Grutter v. BollingerWhite student denied access to University of Michigan because race was used as a "plus factor".; Court says OK; Race can be used as a "plus factor" because it is "narrowly tailored".68
13329303896Adarand Constructors v. PenaState law gives preference to minority-owned companies; Court says NO; ALL racial discrimination must live up to the "strict scrutiny" test and is considered inherently suspect.69
13329303897Palko v. ConnecticutPalko argues that 5th Amendment applies to states too. Court says NO - but some rights DO apply to states.; "Fundamental" liberties are protected from states too; Begins SELECTIVE INCORPORATION70
13329303898Baker v. CarrPeople challenge how state apportionment took place. This had always been considered a "political question" left to Congress. Court rules on issue.; Created the precedent that the Court can rule on "political questions", especially apportionment.71
13329303899Reynolds v. SimsIn Alabama, states were apportioned regardless of population. Some ratios were as bad a 40:1. Court says NO. As much as is possible, state districts must be of equal population72
13329303900Wesberry v. SandersGeorgia districts were very uneven in terms of population. Court says NO. By keeping districts uneven, one person's vote counted more than another's. As much as is possible, Congressional districts must be of equal population so that everyone's vote has the same power.73
13329303901Buckley v. ValeoFEC sets limits on campaign contributions. Court says limits on money to candidates are OK; but, limits on independent expenditures is NOT. Money = Speech, so it's protected.74
13329303902Citizens United v. FECBCRA bans Corporations or Unions from funding campaigns; Court says NO.; Corporations = people, people have freedom of speech, money = speech, so...corporations have freedom of speech, which includes spending on political advertising, which cannot be limited.75
13329303903Shaw v. RenoNC draws district lines to create 2 majority-minority (black) districts. White people sue. Racial gerrymandering, even creating majority-minority districts, can be challenged in court.76

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