10 Famous Cases of the Supreme Court
Marbury v. MadisonJohn Adams made many federal appointments at the end of his term. Thomas Jefferson refused to recognize the appointment of Marbury as the justice of peace in D.C. At the direction of Jefferson, Madison refused to deliver the commission of appointment to Marbury.
Marbury sued Madison. Chief Justice Marshall wrote that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional and began the practice of Judicial Review. Marbury had the right to his commission but the Court did not have the power to force Madison to deliver it. |
Dred Scott v. SandfordDred Scott was a Missouri slave. eh was taken to Illinois, a free state, before returnign to Missouri. Scott sued for his freedom claiming his residence on the "free soil" made him a free man.
The Court decided 7-2 in the slave owner's favor. African Americans were not citizens and could not bring cases to federal courts. The Court struck down the Missouri Compromise as unconstitutional. |
Plessy v. FergusonPlessy attempted to sit on an all white railroad car. After refusing to sit int he black car, he was arrested for violating a 1890 Louisiana statue that provided "separate but equal." Plessy was found guilty by Ferguson and lost the case.
This ruling was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education. |
Brown v. Board of EducationSeveral black children sought admission to public schools that required or permitted segregation based on race. The plaintiffs alleged that segregation was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and declared segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision overruled the decision of the Plessy v. Ferguson case. |
Gideon v. WainwrightGideon was charged in a Florida state court with a felony for breaking and entering. He lacked money and was unable to hire a lawyer. When he requested the court to appoint an attorney for him, they refused. Gideon defended himself and was convicted to five years in prison.
Supreme Court votes 9-0 in favor of Gideon saying he had the right to a lawyer. |
Miranda v. ArizonaThe petitioner was questioned by police, made oral admissions, and signed an incriminatory statement all without being notified of his right to counsel.
The Supreme Court voted 5 for Miranda and 4 against him. The Court specifically outlined the necessary aspects of police warnings to suspects, including the right to remain silent and the right to have counsel present during interrogations. |
Tinker v. Des MoinesJohn Tinker, his sister, and a friend were sent home from school wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The school had established a policy permitting students to wear political symbols, but excluding those protesting the war.
In a 7-2 decision the court ruled the students had a right to wear the armbands to protest the war. |
United States v. NixonA grand jury returned indictments against seven of President Nixon's closest aids in the Watergate Scandal. The special prosecutor, appointed by Nixon, and the defendants sought audio tapes of conversations recorded by Nixon. Nixon said he was immune from the subpoena and has the right to withhold information from other branches of government.
The Court votes 8 for the United States and 1 for Nixon. |
Citizens United v. F.E.C.Citizens United sought an injunction against the F.E.C. to prevent the application of the BCRA to film Hilary: The Movie. The movie expressed opinions about whether Hilary Clinton would make a good president or not.
The Court voted 5 votes for Citizens United and 4 votes against. |