Landmark Supreme Court cases
When: 1966
The issue: Ernesto Miranda, arrested for kidnapping and sexual assault in this town, claimed that his confession was inadmissible because the police failed to inform him of his constitutional right to an attorney.
The ruling: The Supreme Court held that, because of certain Constitutional amendments, no confession could be accepted unless a suspect had been made aware of and waived his or her legal rights during police questioning.
When: 1954
The issue: Linda Brown was denied admission to her local elementary school because she was African American. This case challenged the “separate but equal” public schools doctrine.
The ruling: After a three-year battle, the judges voted unanimously to end legal segregation in public schools because it violated this clause.
When: 1803
The issue: James Madison refused to seat four judicial appointees, even though they had been confirmed by the Senate.
The ruling: The lawsuit, touted as the Supreme Court's first great case, established the power of judicial review. It authorized the federal courts to review laws and invalidate those that violate the Constitution.
When: 1978
The issue: This case involved Allan Bakke, who was rejected twice for medical school while minority applicants were admitted with significantly lower scores than his.
The ruling: The court decided that while race was a legitimate factor in school admissions, the use of rigid quotas was not permissible.
When: 2010
The issue: The nonprofit Citizens United sought an injunction against the Federal Election Commission to elude penalties for airing the controversial “Hillary: The Movie” before the Democratic primaries. This modern-day court case transformed the campaign finance landscape.
The ruling: The court resolved that the government cannot outlaw political spending by corporations in candidate elections because of this amendment, wiping out laws in 24 states that banned such spending.
When: 1963
The issue: This case involved Clarence Earl Gideon, who was arrested after stealing $5 and a few beers from a vending machine. He wasn't able to afford a lawyer and was required to go to court alone.
The ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that defense attorneys must be provided to criminal defendants who are charged with serious offenses and cannot afford a lawyer.
When: 1973
The issue: This controversial suit was filed on behalf of “Jane Roe”, who alleged that the abortion law in Texas violated the rights of women.
The ruling: The Supreme Court overturned the Texas law and made abortion legal in the United States with certain restrictions. The case inspired a made-for-TV movie starring this celebrity, and an episode in this TV drama series.
When: 1962
The issue: Public school families believed that reading a state-sponsored prayer each school day violated part of the First Amendment.
The ruling: The court voted to prohibit prayer in school. It was the first in a series of cases regarding the separation of church and state, a divisive issue often in the news today.
When: 2000
The issue: A group of private gun owners brought suit in the US capital, claiming that existing laws banning handgun possession violated certain amendment rights.
The ruling: The court ruled this amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm. Watch video clips on the debate and the notorious speech by Charlton Heston at a National Rifle Association convention.
When: 1856
The issue: Dred Scott, who had been taken from what was then a slave state to a free state appealed to the Supreme Court in hopes of being granted his freedom.
The ruling: The court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court, and that Congress lacked power to ban slavery in the US territories. The decision, known as one of the worst in Supreme Court history, was later overturned by an 1868 amendment.
When: 1974
The issue: A congressional hearing during this presidential scandal questioned whether or not the president was immune to a subpoena because of “executive privilege”.
The ruling: A unanimous court rejected the president's claims of absolute executive privilege, ruling that the doctrine is legitimate but cannot be invoked in criminal cases to withhold evidence. Check out the movie based on the scandal, and watch clips of the president addressing the public.
When: 1989
The issue: To protest the policies of the Reagan administration, Gregory Lee Johnson burned a U.S. flag and was arrested in this state.
The ruling: Johnson’s conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court, ruling that his expressive conduct is protected by the rights of this amendment.
When: 1824
The issue: Steamboat operator Aaron Ogden was granted a monopoly to run his boats on the Empire State’s waters, a power that was challenged by a competitor.
The ruling: The court ruled that, under this Constitutional clause, states could not interfere with the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce. This decision has been called "the emancipation proclamation of American commerce".
When: 1990
The issue: This was the court’s first right-to-die case, in which Nancy Cruzan's parents attempted to terminate the life-support system from their daughter, who was in a persistent vegetative state. Hospital officials in this state refused to do so without court approval.
The ruling: The Supreme Court upheld the authority of the states to demand “clear and convincing” evidence of an injured person's wishes. The family eventually won a court order to have her removed from life support.
When: 1819
The issue: After the Second Bank of the United States was authorized by Congress, this state fought back by imposing a tax on all banks not chartered by the state. The U.S. branch bank managerin this city refused to pay the tax.
The ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that Congress had implied powers under the Constitution's “Sweeping Clause” to create a national bank and that Maryland lacked the power to tax the bank. This case became a legal keystone of later expansions of federal power.
When: 1931
The issue: This was the court's first "freedom of the press" case. It involved Jay Near, who published a scandal sheet in this Minneapolis publication that was shut down because it attacked local officials.
The ruling: The court rejected prior restraints made on publications, banning censorship in the press because it violated certain Constitutional amendments.
Source: specials
