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Kent v. Dulles 1958
The court ruled that the freedom to travel is a important factor of liberty. In this case, Rockwell Kent applied for and was refused a passport to visit England. He was refused and granted a hearing. -
Griswold v. Connecticut 1965
The Court determined that a married couple’s decision to use birth control is a personal decision and right to privacy where the government has no say. Griswold opened a birth control clinic as she was the head of Planned Parenthood in Connecticut, but drugs, medical devices, and other instruments in furthering contraception were illegal in Connecticut. -
Roe v. Wade 1973
The Court found that abortion is a right of personal privacy. Roe filed a lawsuit against Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas, where she challenged the Texas law making abortion illegal except by a doctor’s orders to save a woman’s life. -
Boy Scouts of America v. Dale 2000
The Boy Scouts of America revoked former Eagle Scout Dale's adult membership when the organization discovered that he was a homosexual and a gay rights activist. The organization said that this was inconsistent with the values it was attempting to teach kids. The case went to court and the court rejected the Boy Scouts' federal constitutional claims. -
Smith v. Doe 2003
Alaska Sex Offender Registration Act, says that any sex offender or child kidnaper incarcerated in Alaska must register with the Department of Public Safety. John Doe I and John Doe II were both convicted of aggravated sex offenses before the Act was enacted so they are covered by it. The court ruled against them and the Court of Appeals disagreed saying that the Act violates the Ex Post Facto Clause.