-
Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Company v. City of Chicago
The city of Chicago was trying to connect two disjointed sections of roads over a piece of private property owned by various people and a right of way owned by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Company. The land was condemned, and all individuals were rewarded compensation, but the railroad was awarded only one dollar. They appealed the judgment, and the Supreme Court of Illinois affirmed it. The 5th amendment was used. -
Gitlow v. New York
Socialist Gitlow was arrested in 1919 for publishing the "Left Wing Manifesto" calling for socialism. He was convicted for advocating overthrowing the government by force. Gitlow argued that there was no action resulting from the publication, and he was not punished. This case used the 1st amendment. -
Near v. Minnesota
A Minneapolis newspaper company wrote an article accusing local officials of being associated with gangsters. Minnesota officials tried to seek a prominent permanent against for being defamatory and scandalous. It was later found unconstitutional under the first amendment. -
DeJonge v. Oregon
On July 27, 1934, the communist party held a meeting regarding jail conditions in the country and a maritime strike. The discussion got raided by police and Dirk De Jonge was arrested and charged with violating the state's syndicalism statute. The supreme court later held that the law violated the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment, and he was safe under the first. -
Cantwell v. Connecticut
Newton Cantwell and his sons, who were Jehova's Witnesses, were proselytizing a Catholic neighborhood, going door to door, and going to people on the street. They were arrested and charged with violating a Connecticut statute and breaching the peace. It was unanimously decided in the supreme court that Cantwell and his sons were protected under the first amendment. -
Everson v. Board of Education of the Township of Ewing
A law in New Jersey authorized the reimbursement of costs of transportation for both public and private schools. 96% of the schools were Catholic, so a taxpayer, Arch R. Everson, filed a lawsuit, claiming the law violated the first amendment. After losing to the state court, he took it to the Supreme court. A divided court held that it was not unconstitutional. -
In re Oliver
A witness appeared in front of a Michigan court to provide testimony regarding gambling and corruption. The judge said the testimony was false due to the testimony of another witness. He was charged and had to face 60 days in jail. The supreme court reversed the decision, and held the right to a public trial applies to state criminal cases under the 6th amendment. -
Gideon v. Wainwright
Clarence Earl was charged with breaking and entering. He appeared in court without a lawyer and requested that they appoint him one. Under Florida's law, an attorney could only be appointed in capital cases. It was ruled that it was required by the constitution to appoint attorneys to state criminal cases under the sixth amendment. -
Mapp v. Ohio
Dollree Mapp was convicted of possession of obscene materials after an illegal police search of her home. She appealed her conviction, and it was said that the search violated the fourth amendment. -
Robinson v. California
A jury found that a defendant was guilty due to a California Statute that said it was illegal to be addicted to narcotics. It was found that convicting those with an addiction, or otherwise someone who was considered mentally ill, was unconstitutional under the eighth amendment. -
Malloy v. Hogan
William Mallory pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was put on probation for two years. Later, a Superior Court ordered him to testify about criminal activities in Hartford County. When he refused due to the possibility of self-incrimination, he was imprisoned until he was willing to answer. This imprisonment was found unconstitutional under the fifth amendment. -
Edwards v. South Carolina
187 black students were convicted for a breach of the peace due to a peaceful assembly at the state government. Their convictions were affirmed by the state, and they had the conviction further reviewed. The conviction was found unconstitutional under the first amendment. -
Ker v. California
Police had invaded Ker's home due to previous investigations providing evidence that he was selling drugs. They entered and searched the apartment without a warrant. Their actions were found unconstitutional under the fourth amendment. -
Pointer v. Texas
One night, Pointer was found to have robbed a 7-11 store of more than $300. Pointer later went on trial. An assistant attorney general conducted the prosecution, but Pointer did not have a lawyer. It was found that the trial violated the sixth amendment. -
Klopfer v. North Carolina
Klopfer was charged with criminal trespassing when he participated in a civil rights demonstration. At the trial, they could not reach a verdict, and the state moved for a nolle prosequi. Klopfer argued that this violated his right to a speedy trial, but the state still went through with it. Later, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court, agreeing that it was in violation to the sixth amendment. -
Washington v. Texas
Washington was convicted of murder and put on trial. He alleged that he was trying to stop Charles Fuller from shooting and to let him testify these facts. The court denied Fuller to testify. This was later found in violation of the sixth amendment right to compulsory process. -
Duncan v. Louisiana
Duncan, a black teenager, was found guilty of assaulting a white youth by slapping him on the elbow. He was sentenced to 60 days in prison and fined $150. He was denied a trial. The Supreme Court held that this violated his sixth amendment right. -
Benton v. Maryland
Benton was put on trial for burglary and larceny. A jury found him not guilty of larceny, but guilty of burglary. It was discovered that the jury was selected unconstitutionally, and the new jury found him guilty of both burglary and larceny. The Supreme Court found that this was unconstitutional under the 5th Amendment due to double jeopardy. -
Schilb v. Kuebel
Schilb was charged with leaving the scene of a car accident and obstructing traffic. He paid off 10% of his bail, but it was found that after his trial, he was returned $7.50 less than what he paid. The court clerk had retained 1% of the funds as a bail bond cost. Schilb argued this violated the equal protection clause. The supreme court ruled that this was not in violation of the eighth amendment. -
Rabe v. Washington
A petitioner was convicted of showing sexually obscene imagery at a drive-in theater. It was ruled that he could not be punished for doing so, as the state had not given fair notice that the location and exhibition were a significant element of offense. -
Argersinger v. Hamlin
Argersinger was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and sentenced to serve ninety days in jail, which is over the maximum punishment allowed for the offense. He was not given an attorney in the trial. The Supreme Court found that this violated his sixth amendment right. -
McDonald v. Chicago
Lawsuits were filed against Chicago and Oak Park in Illinois because of their ban on handguns. Plaintiffs argued that the right to bear arms should apply to states. The supreme court agreed, stating that the second amendment applies to states. -
Timbs v. Indiana
Timbs used $42,000 using proceedings from his father's life insurance policy to transport heroin. He got arrested at a traffic stop. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years, and agreed to pay a $1,200 fine. The state also sought to forfeit Timbs Land Rover but was denied the action as it would be an excessive fine under the eighth amendment.