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West Virginia State Board of Education V. Barnette
The Barnette case was about their kids not saluting the flag since they were Jehovah's Witnesses which regards the First Amendment, freedom of religion and their religion doesn't worship symbols. The court agreed it did violate the first amendment since it cannot enforce, national symbols like the flag should not receive a level of deference that trumps constitutional protections. It impacts our religions and our choice on what to worship or not. -
Mapp v. Ohio
Mapp's house was illegally search for fugitives, and items were confiscated, this regards the fourth amendment which should protected items from seizure by the Fourth Amendment. Since the four Amendment talks about consent and warrants for searches. The court decided yes its unconstitutional, and all evidence collect is invalid, since the police didn't have consent or warrant. This case is important since it acknowledges unruly search and seizures, without consent/warrant. -
Engel v. Vitale
The New York State Board of Regents authorized a short, voluntary prayer for recitation at the start of each school day. This relates to the first amendment, since it its violated free speech and religion, pushing religion on others. The court decided "the state cannot hold prayers in public schools, even if participation is not required and the prayer is not tied to a particular religion." Its important since it violate the 1st amendment, and it it helps those of other religions. -
Gideon v. Wainwright
Gideon was charged with a felony breaking and entering, he appeared in court without a lawyer, and when he asked for a lawyer they denied the request. This case relates to the "6Amendment's right to counsel in criminal cases for felony defendants in state courts." The court said, Sixth Amendment guarantee of a right to assistance of counsel. Its a fundamental, right obligatory upon the states by the 14Amendment. It impacts our courts making sure their is assisted council if needed. -
NY Times v. Sullivan
The new York time posted an article with several minor factual inaccuracies, Sullivan felt that the criticism of his subordinates reflected on him. He argued that this was unconstitutional depended on the first amendment, free speech + press. The court ruled in favor of NY Times, Since it wasn't enough prove that it is false for the press to be liable for libel. It impacts us since, it saying everyone has free speech and press, the good or the bad, everyone is allowed an opinion. -
Griswold v. Connecticut
This case say, 14 amendment protect the right of privacy against state restrictions on a couple's ability to be counseled in the use of contraceptives. Since their was a banning drugs etc. on contraceptives. The court ruled that Constitution did protect this right, because they said "First, 3, Fourth, and Ninth Amendments create the right to privacy in marital relations." This is important because it allows us privacy and allows drugs, medical device/ other instrument in contraceptives -
Miranda v. Arizona
Miranda was arrested and integrated with out being informed of his rights. This relates to the "Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination extend to the police interrogation of a suspect." The court ruled yes the 5 amendment by law requires a defendant to be warned of their rights before interrogation. It impact our right to be informed of our rights so we don't incriminate ourselves, and tells us that you can have an attorney if wanted/ and remained silent. -
Loving v. Virginia
This case was about, two people of different races getting married, when they went home they were charged with violating the state, which banned inter-racial marriages. They argued it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The court ruled yes it was violated, and reasoned Virginia had no legitimate purpose "independent of invidious racial discrimination." This is important since it say we can marry who ever we love, no matter race. -
Tinker v. Des Monies
This court case was about prohibition against the wearing of armbands in public school, as a form of symbolic protest, violate the students' freedom of speech protections which is guaranteed by the 1 Amendment. The court agreed with the students, because it showed pure speech (the bands) that is entirely separate from the actions or conduct of those participating in it. This case is important since its protecting our freedom of speech through expression, by clothes or words. -
NY Times v. US
This case called "Pentagon Papers Case" the Nixon administration's tried to prevent the publication of classified information, and does it violate the First Amendment. The court said yes, it does violate the first amendment, because publication would not cause and immediate event imperiling the safety of American forces, so the action was unjustified. It is important to know this case because it saying non one is above the law, and the safety of everyone as a whole comes first. -
Lemon v. Kurtzman
Lemon v Kurtzman was regarding the first amendment since the court found out that two states have been violating a cause by making state financial aid available to “church-related educational institutions. The court ruled it didn't violate the first amendment, because it would cause too much hardship for schools + it doesn't cause to much harm. It impacts that a law was created but still didn't have to be followed. -
Furman v. Georgia
Furman was burglarizing a home, then trip and his gun when off killing a resident of the home. He argued that his sentencing violated the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. The curt said yes it did violate his rights, and was a cruel/unusual punishment. Reason was theses cases constituted cruel and unusual punishment and violated the Constitution. It impacts states and the national legislature to reconsider the death penalty to make sure it had no capricious or discriminatory manner. -
Roe v. wade
Roe v. wade is about if it is Constitution for a woman's right terminate her pregnancy by abortion. This violates the the women's rights of personal privacy, protected by the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and Fourteenth Amendments. The court ruled in favor of the women, stating that the right to privacy, and a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion falls within that right to privacy. Which is important to that we did have a choice at one time, not so much any more. -
Gregg v. Georgia
Gregg was found guilty of armed robbery and murder and sentenced him to death. He argued that this was cruel + unusual punishment that violated the 8 and 14amendments. The court ruled no it did not violate the 8 and 14 amendment because Georgia's death penalty says the judicious + careful use of the death penalty, by a trials where sentencing are conducted separately. Important because, capital punishment are useful deterrent to future capital crimes, cant commit worse rimes if dead. -
New Jersey v. TLO
T.L.O was a high school student, had drugs found in her purse. They argued "Does the exclusionary rule apply to searches conducted by school officials in public schools?" Relates to the 4 amendment, unreasonable search and seizures. The Court said, 4 amendment protects Search + seizures and can conduct reasonable warrantless searches of students under authority with due cause. It impacts our safety and knowing they can't search us unreasonable, only if they have probable cause. -
Employment Division V. Smith
This case was about whether or not a state can deny unemployment benefits to a worker fired for using illegal drugs for religious purposes. This case relates to the first amendment, since they are arguing that violating free exercise of religion aspect of the 1 amendment. The court agreed that it was constitutional, due to the fact religious beliefs are not an exception to laws conducted by the government,also is free to regulate. Which protects other exemptions from civic obligations. -
Church of Lukumi Babalu v. Hialeah
The church of Lukumi Babalu argued that prohibiting ritual animal sacrifices, violate the 1 Amendment Free Exercise Clause. The court decide, yes it did violate the 1 amendment. The court decide this since "the ordinances singled out the activities of the Santeria faith and suppressed more religious conduct than was necessary to achieve their stated ends." Its impact is it gives us the right to freedom of religion and beliefs, allowing religious freedoms when it comes to our beliefs. -
Texas v. Johnson
Johnson committed arm robbery and killed someone, argued the Texas capital unconstitutionally sentence him because the jury didn't acknowledge his youth at the time of the crime. The court said its "constitutional with respect to the 8,14 Amendments." The reasoning, the jury was supposed to see if he is a continuing threat to society and consider any mitigating evidence with which they were presented. its important to know that crimes will still be punished even with our youth. -
Brandenburg v. Ohio
Brandenburg was a leader in the Ku Klux Klan, who made a speech at a Klan rally and was later convicted for an Ohio criminal syndicalism law. Brandenburg argued that it violated his right to free speech protected by the 1 and 14 Amendments. The Court ruled it violated Brandenburg's right to free speech. They reasoned it wasn't inciting/producing lawless action + wasn't likely to incite or produce such action. This important to know even bad speech still has the right of free speech. -
Morse v. Fredrick
Fredrick case was about a student, putting up a messages promoting the use of illegal drugs at school-supervised events, they argued whether or not a school can disciplines a student for displaying a banner with a drug reference at a school-supervised event. It said "Bong Hits 4 Jesus." The court ruled, school officials can prohibit students for that. Since we have free speech but it doesn't cover pro-drugs. Important since it limits pro-drug speech in schools, to protect the kids. -
DC v. Heller
The heller case was about, heller applied for a 1 year licenses to own a gun was denied and argued that its violated the second amendment. The court ruled that this does violate the second amendment, because it sine it guarantee an individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation. This case impact us since it gives us the right/to own a gun if wanted, which cant normally be denied since its a constitutional right -
McDonald v. Chicago
The case was about if the Second Amendment apply to the states because it is incorporated by the Fourteenth Amendment's Privileges and Immunities or Due Process clauses and thereby made applicable to the states. The Court ruled to reversed the Seventh Circuit, a leaving it up to them to determine whether Chicago's handgun ban violated an individual's right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. It is important for self defense rights, which apply to states. -
Snyder v. Phelps
The Snyder case was about a church protesting at a funeral. They wanted to know if this violated the first amendment, since it cause emotional distress on the family of the deceased. The court said it was constitutional, saying that it was free speech and expression. It important because it clarifies that every one has free speech the good and the bad, and it can't be denied. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
This case was about if the 14 Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and if the 14 Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex that was legally licensed and performed in another state? The court agreed that yes 14 Amendment guarantees the right to marry, one of the fundamental liberties it protects, same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Its impacts our right to love who we want/marry who we want. -
Mahaney Area School District v. B.L.
The case was about a high school student, posted something inappropriate to snapchat in her house, but it violated school rules. Which related to the first amendment arguing that the rules were overbroad and viewpoint discriminatory. The court ruled in this case yes it violated the first amendment, because her speech did not her “substantial disruption” or threaten harm to the rights of others. It is important to know that what we say off campus will not effect us on campus.