Landmark Supreme

Court Cases

Marbury v Madison (1803)

Significance: The power of judicial review was given to the Supreme Court.

McCulloch v. Maryland(1819)

Significance: Congress can write laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its constitutional powers.

Dred Scott v. Sanford(1857)

Significance: Slaves were considered property and not citizens.

Plessy v Ferguson(1896)

Significance: Separate was equal and segregation was legal.

Korematsu v. United States(1944)

Significance: The President and Congress had the right to label an entire race as “suspect” because the issues concerning national security and therefore detain them.

Brown v. Board of Education

(1954)

Significance: Separate was NOT equal and segregation is illegal. This case overturned Plessy v Ferguson.

Gideon v. Wainwright(1963)

Significance: States must provide an attorney in all felony and capital cases for people who cannot afford one themselves.

Miranda v. Arizona(1966)

Significance: Police must inform suspects that they have the right to remain silent, that anything they say may be used against them, and that they have the right to counsel before the police may begin to question those held in custody.

Kent v United States(1966)

Significance: Teens can be tried as adults for serious crimes.

Tinker v. Des Moines School District

(1969)

Significance: Students are entitled to the free expression of their views as long as there is no substantial or material interference of the educational process.

Ingraham v Wright(1977)

Significance: Teachers can use corporal punishment if the locality allows it.

New Jersey v T.L.O.(1985)

Significance: Your belongings can be searched at school if school officials have “reasonable suspicion”.

Vernonia School District v Action

(1995)

Significance: Schools can require student-athletes to take drug tests.

Grutter v Bollinger(2003)

Significance: Colleges can use race as a factor in admissions.