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Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Company v. City of Chicago (1897)
This case addressed whether Chicago could condemn private property for public use without compensating the property owner fairly. The railroad company stated that Chicago was violating the Fifth Amendment's just compensation. The Supreme Court ruled with the railroad company. -
Gitlow v. New York (1925)
Gitlow was a socialist male, he was arrested in 1919 after publishing a left-wing manifesto that called for strikes, which could advocate for the overthrow of the U.S. government. Gitlow believed his First Amendment right, Freedom of Speech, was being violated because his manifesto did not directly result in violence. The Supreme Court upheld Gitlows conviction and ruled that the First Amendemnts right's Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press are applied to state issues. -
Near v. Minnesota (1931)
Jay M. Near and Howard Guilford were publishers of a Minneapolis newspaper Saturday Press, which accused the Minneapolis police of conniving with Jewish gangsters. The State prevented the publication of this newspaper, which violated his First Amendment right. -
Dejonge v. Oregon (1937)
The Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause protects the First Amendment right of freedom of assembly from state statutes, overturning Dirk De Jonge's conviction for assisting a meeting organized by the Communist Party. -
Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940)
Cantwell was a Jehovah's Witness; he and his sons were arrested in Connecticut for a state law that requires a permit to solicit for religious reasons. He agreed that his First Amendment right free exercise of religion was violated. The Supreme Court ruled that the Connecticut law violated the First Amendment. As well it applied the Fourteenth Amendment applied the Amendement to states. -
Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940)
Cantwell was a Jehovah's Witness; he and his sons were arrested in Connecticut for a state law that requires a permit to solicit for religious reasons. He agreed that his First Amendment right free exercise of religion was violated. The Supreme Court ruled that the Connecticut law violated the First Amendment. As well it applied the Fourteenth Amendment applied the Amendement to states. -
Everson v. Board of Education of the Township of Ewing (1947)
Arch R. Everson filed a lawsuit alleging that a New Jersey law that authorized reimbursements from local school boards for the cost of transportation (96% of these schools were private schools). Everson claimed this indirect aid to religion violated the First Amendment. Everson's lawsuit ended up being rejected by the Supreme Court on the basis that the reimbursements did not directly aid the religious aspect of the schools, as it was intended for the transportation of students. -
In re Oliver (1948)
Harry Oliver was convicted in Michigan of contempt of court without being able to afford a public trial. Oliver had been denied to come to his own trial and to have a counsel. The Supreme Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a public trial. -
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Ohio police illegally searched Dollree Mapp's apartment to find evidence relating to a recent bombing and gambling contraband. The police did not find evidence of their original purpose, but found illegal material. This search was deemed illegal because of the lack of evidence to search Mapp's apartment. This broke the Fourth Amendment's seizure and search and the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Robinson v. California (1962)
Robinson was convicted in California for being addicted to drugs, which in California was a criminal offense. Robinson argued that criminalizing drug addiction goes against the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court ruled that it is unconditional to punish someone for being addicted to drugs. -
Edwards v. South Carolina (1963)
A group of African American students who were arrested for peacefully protesting at the South Carolina State House. The students were convicted of disruption of peace. The Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment's right to petition, speech, and assembly was violated for the students. -
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Clarence Earl Gideon was charged with a felony in Florida. Gideon could not afford a lawyer and was denied one to be appointed to him. He represented himself in court and was convicted. The Supreme Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel. -
Klopfer v. North Carolina (1967)
Klopher was charged with civil disobedience in North Carolina. His trial was postponed for several years, and he argued that his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial was violated. The Supreme Court ruled with Klopher and applied the right to the state. -
Ker v. California (1963)
California Authorities had entered George Ker's apartment without a warrant. Authorities seized marijuana and used the evidence in federal court. The Supreme Court decided that the Fourth Amendment's ban on unreasonable search and seizure applies to states through the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Malloy v. Hogan (1964)
Malloy was arrested in Connecticut for minor gambling charges and refused to testify in a case, which was protected by his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. However, he was punished for not cooperating. The Supreme Court ruled that the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination was applied to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment's due process. -
Pointer v. Texas (1965)
Bob Granville Pointer robbed a local 7/11. The Texas judge had used evidence drawn from a preliminary hearing where a counsel did not represent Pointer. The Supreme Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment's right to confront witnesses, as well as the right to cross-examine, applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment and is required for a fair trial. -
Washington v. Texas (1967)
Houston Washington was convicted of murder in Texas, his co-defendant was not allowed to testify because of a Texas law that prevented forcing a co-defendant to testify. The Supreme Court ruled that Washington's Sixth Amendment right to compel witnesses was violated, and the Fourteenth Amendment applies the Sixth Amendment to the state through due process. -
Duncan v. Louisiana (1968)
Gary Duncan, an African American, was charged with battery in Louisiana and was denied a jury trial. He appealed and agreed that under the Sixth Amendment's right to a jury trial in federal cases, however he believed that right to be extended to state cases as well. The Supreme Court ruled with Duncan and extended the right to a jury trial to the state court. -
Benton v. Maryland (1969)
Benton was convicted of larceny. His conviction was later overturned, but he was retried and convicted again. He argued that this decision violated the Fifth Amendment's double jeopardy. The Supreme Court ruled that the Fifth Amendment protected Benton and dismissed him. -
Schilb v. Kuebel (1971)
John Schilb was charged with leaving the scene of a car accident. Schilb paid 10% of his bail, but when his money was returned to him, $7.50 of his bail was missing. The Count Clerk retained 1% of the amount deposited as a bail bond cost. Schilb filed a class action lawsuit on the belief that the charge violated the Equal Protection Clause. The Supreme Court decided that the bail system did not violate his Equal Protection Clause. -
Argersinger V. Hamlin
In the landmark 1972 case Argersinger v. Hamlin, the Supreme Court ruled that anyone facing a jail sentence, even for a misdemeanor, has the right to court-appointed counsel if they cannot afford one.
This expanded the Sixth Amendment's right to counsel. -
Rabe v. Washington (1972)
Rabe was charged with theft in Washington. His defense was that his confession was forced, and he was not informed of his right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in Rabe, this case was one of many during this period that advanced due process. -
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
Otis McDonald wanted to challenge Chicago's gun ban after the city refused to issue him a permit to own a handgun. McDonald argued that his Second Amendment right to bear arms was violated. The Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Timbs v. Indiana (2019)
Tyson Timbs purchased a Land Rover for $42,000. Timbs used the car to transport heroin. Timbs was sentenced to six years in prison when found guilty and had to pay $1,200 in fines and fees. The state fought to take Timb's Land Rover, which was four times more than the maximum dealing charge. The Supreme Court ruled that this violated the Eighth Amendment's excessive fines. This case helped bind the Federal government to constitutional limits.