Supreme Court Cases

  • West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette

    West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette
    6-3 can students be forced to salute the flag at school? No, the first amendment says that no idea can be forced to anyone in schools especially one that violates ones freedom of religion
  • Map v. Ohio

    Map v. Ohio
    6-3 The courts decided that if something not stated in a search warrant was found during a raid it is not allowed to be used in court because of 4th amendment protections
  • Engel v. Vitale

    Engel v. Vitale
    6-1 The courts were asked if schools can hold a prayer even if it is not tied to a certain religion. They decided because of the first amendments freedom of religion school will not be allowed to hold prayer. Even if no religion is tied to said prayer
  • Gideon v. Wainwright

    Gideon v. Wainwright
    7-2 Is the court required to appoint an attorney? Yes because of the 6th amendment the courts require that you have a public defender
  • NY Times v. Sullivan

    NY Times v. Sullivan
    7-2 Can you be sued if you publish something that is false? Yes, and No. You can be used if you publish something that is false that you knew was false. You can also be sued if you publish it with ill intent, but just because it's false doesn't always mean you can sue
  • Tinker v Des Moines

    Tinker v Des Moines
    7-2 Should students be able to wear arm bands in order to protest? Yes because of the first amendment they are able to do so.
  • Griswold v. Connecticut

    Griswold v. Connecticut
    7-2 Can states prevent a married couple from using contraceptives? No states can not outlaw contraceptives because of the 1st 3rd 4th and 9th amendments which guarantee marital privacy
  • Miranda v arizona

    Miranda v arizona
    5-4 does someone need to be informed of the right to remain silent before being questioned? Yes if you are being questioned you must be informed by the police that you do not have to answer
  • Loving v. Virginia

    Loving v. Virginia
    9-0 Can the courts put you in jail for marrying someone of the opposite race? No the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment states that a state can not do such a thing
  • Brandenburg v. Ohio

    Brandenburg v. Ohio
    8-1 The courts were asked if speech inciting violence should be allowed to be punished. They decided that if it directly promotes violence free speech can be limited.
  • Lemon v. Kurtzman

    Lemon v. Kurtzman
    8-1 The courts decided that schools are not allowed to promote or punish certain religions. This is protected under the first amendment.
  • NY Time v. US

    NY Time v. US
    6-3 The courts asked if the New York Times should be allowed to publish the Nixon documents. They decided they can because of the first amendment
  • Roe v. Wade

    Roe v. Wade
    7-2 Does a woman have the right to an abortion? Yes a woman's right to privacy from the 14th amendment allows a woman to have an abortion. States are not allowed to outlaw abortion
  • Gregg v Georgia

    Gregg v Georgia
    7-2 Does the death penalty violate the 8th amendment? No in extreme circumstances the death penalty is allowed. It is not considered cruel and unusual
  • Tecas v. Johnson

    Tecas v. Johnson
    5-4 Is burning an American Flag protected speech? Yes the burning of an American flag is freedom of speech and protest and because of the first amendment can not be punished
  • New Jersey v. TLO

    New Jersey v. TLO
    6-3 Can schools search a students belongings without a warrant? Yes as long as the school has a reason to conduct such searches
  • Employment Division v. Smith

    Employment Division v. Smith
    6-3 Should a worker receive unemployment after they were fired for using illegal drugs for religious reasons? They decided no they should not. Such religious exemptions would open up too many gateways like not paying any taxes "for religious reasons"
  • Church of Lukumi Babalu v. Hialeah

    Church of Lukumi Babalu v. Hialeah
    9-0 Should the church be able to make animal sacrifices? Yes because of the first amendments freedom of religion they are able to do so
  • DC v Heller

    DC v Heller
    5-4 Can guns be required to be kept nonfunctional in your home? No that violates the second amendment and DC's law is not allowed
  • McDonald v. Chicago

    McDonald v. Chicago
    5-4 does the 14th amendment allow states to outlaw guns protected by the second? No, you are not allowed to ban guns even if the 14th amendment talks about state rights.
  • Snyder v. Phelps

    Snyder v. Phelps
    8-1 A group of protesters protested a military funeral. The courts decided this was allowed because of the first amendment
  • Morse v. Fredrick

    Morse v. Fredrick
    5-4 The courts were asked if speech about illegal drugs in school can be limited. They decided yes in school are not allowed to promote illegal drugs specifically "bong hits for Jesus" in this case
  • Obergefell v. Hodges

    Obergefell v. Hodges
    5-4 The courts decided to legally allow gay marriage because of the 14th amendment which allows for pursuit of happiness
  • Mahoney Area School District v. B.L.

    Mahoney Area School District v. B.L.
    8-1 Can you get in trouble for what you say off of campus? Yes if what you say disrupts or causes harm to school you can get in trouble for what you say even if you have the first amendment