Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Plessy vs. Ferguson

Apr 13, 1896

Issue: Plessy was arrested for violating the separate car act and argued in court that the act violated the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments to the costitution. Decision: Supreme court decided that the racial segregation is constitutional under the separate but equal doctrine.

Miranda Vs. Arizona

Mar 9, 1941

Issue: Ernesto Miranda was arrested after a crime victim identified him, but police officers questioning him but did not inform him of his Fifth Amendment right against Self -incrimination.
Decision: Supreme court Ruled in favor of Miranda. Law must be informed of their constitutional rights against self-incrimination and to representation by an attorney before being interrogated when in police custody.

Brown vs. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

Issue: Linda brown and her family believed that the segregated school system violated the Fourteenth amendment and took their case to court. Decision: The court decided state laws requiring separate but equal schools violated the Equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Mapp vs. Ohio

Jun 19, 1961

Issue: Convicted of possesing obscene materials after an amittedly illegal police search of her home for a fugitive. Decision:The court ruled in favor of Mapp. That rule requires courts to exclude from criminal trials evidence that was obtained in violation of the constitutional ban on unreasonable searches and arrest.

Gideon vs. Wainwright

Mar 18, 1963

Issue: The judge denied Gideon request for a lawyer for him arguing that the sixth amendment entitles everyone to a lawyer. Decision: The supreme court ruled in favor of Gideon. Justice Black wrote the opinion for the court, which ruled that the right to the assistance of council in felony court cases.

Tinker vs. Des Moines

Feb 24, 1969

Issue: When school authorities asked that the Tinkers remove their armbands, they refused and were suspended. Decision: Ruling that students retan their constitutional right of freedom of speech while in public school.

New Jersey vs. T.L.O.

Jan 15, 1985

Issue: A New Jersey high school student was accused of violating school rules by smoking in the bathroom, leading an assistant principal to search her purse. Decision: The supreme court decided that the search did not violate the constitution and established more linient standards for reasonableness in school searches.

Texas vs. Johnson

Jun 21, 1989

Issue: Johnson was charged and convicted with the descrecration of a veneraated object, in violation of the texas penal code. Decision: Vote of 5-4.The supreme court determined that Johnsons actions were symbolic speech protected by his First amendment rights.