The Most Historic US Supreme Court Cases: A Constitutional Law Series

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the most historic US Supreme Court cases in the realm of constitutional law. In this series, we will explore landmark decisions that have shaped the principles and interpretations of the United States Constitution.

1. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

The Brown v. Board of Education case marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, leading to the end of racial segregation in public schools. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the doctrine of "separate but equal" had no place in education, effectively overturning the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).

The case was initiated by a group of African American families who challenged the segregation policy in public schools, arguing that it violated the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. The Court's decision in favor of the plaintiffs was a landmark step towards a more inclusive and equal society.

Equal Protection: Historic US Supreme Court Cases (Constitutional Law Series)

by LandMark Publications(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	968 KB
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2. Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

The Miranda v. Arizona case established the required warnings that police must provide to individuals in custody before conducting an interrogation. This ruling gave birth to the well-known "Miranda rights" that individuals are entitled to, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel.

Ernesto Miranda, the defendant in the case, was convicted of rape and kidnapping based primarily on his confession, which was obtained without informing him of his right to remain silent. The Supreme Court determined that without such warnings, individuals may unknowingly waive their constitutional protections. This decision became a crucial safeguard for individuals' rights during criminal investigations.

3. Roe v. Wade (1973)

The Roe v. Wade case has long been a topic of contentious discussion in the United States. It established a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion, within certain limits, without excessive government interference. The Supreme Court held that a state law banning abortions violated a woman's right to privacy.

This ruling, while highly significant for women's reproductive rights, continues to be strongly debated. It has prompted ongoing legal, political, and ethical discussions regarding the balance between a woman's autonomy and the government's interest in regulating abortion.

4. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The case of Marbury v. Madison laid the foundation for judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to interpret the constitutionality of laws. It established the principle that the judiciary has the authority to overturn acts of Congress if they are found to be in conflict with the Constitution.

The case arose from the political fallout after President John Adams appointed William Marbury as a justice of the peace at the last minute before leaving office. The newly inaugurated President Thomas Jefferson, however, ordered his Secretary of State, James Madison, not to deliver Marbury's commission. Marbury sued, seeking a writ of mandamus from the Supreme Court to force Madison to deliver the commission.

The Court's decision, written by Chief Justice John Marshall, declared that the Court did not have the jurisdiction to grant Marbury's request. This decision simultaneously established the power of judicial review, emphasized the limits of the Court's reach, and solidified the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the Constitution.

5. United States v. Nixon (1974)

The case of United States v. Nixon concerned the Watergate scandal and the legitimacy of executive privilege. The Court unanimously held that even the President of the United States is not above the law, ruling that President Nixon had to comply with a subpoena for the Oval Office tapes.

The decision played a significant role in strengthening the system of checks and balances, reinforcing the notion that no branch of government has unlimited power. It reaffirmed the principle that the presidency does not grant immunity from investigation or prosecution when there is evidence of wrongdoing.

These historic US Supreme Court cases have shaped the constitutional landscape of the United States, establishing and interpreting fundamental rights and principles. They highlight the Court's responsibility to uphold the Constitution and serve as a reminder of how the law continues to evolve to reflect societal changes.

Throughout this constitutional law series, we will delve into each of these cases in more detail, exploring the legal arguments, the Court's reasoning, and the lasting impact of these landmark decisions. Join us on this journey through the foundations of American constitutional law.

Equal Protection: Historic US Supreme Court Cases (Constitutional Law Series)

by LandMark Publications(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	968 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	948 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This ebook contains 47 historic US Supreme Court Decisions that interpret the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The ebook includes a copy of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and all the Amendments.

Part I
1. Minor v. Happersett, 88 US 162 (1875)
2. Strauder v. West Virginia, 100 US 303 (1879)
3. Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 US 356 (1886)
4. Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 US 537 (1896)
5. Truax v. Raich, 239 US 33 (1915)
6. Buchanan v. Warley, 245 US 60 (1917)
7. Missouri ex rel. Gaines v. Canada, 305 US 337 (1938)
8. Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 US 158 (1944)
9. Morgan v. Virginia, 328 US 373 (1946)
10. Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 US 1 (1948)
11. Sweatt v. Painter, 339 US 629 (1950)
12. McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents, 339 US 637 (1950)
13. Bolling v. Sharpe, 347 US 497 (1954)

Part II
14. Hoyt v. Florida, 368 US 57 (1961)
15. Evans v. Newton, 382 US 296 (1966)
16. Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections, 383 US 663 (1966)
17. Katzenbach v. Morgan, 384 US 641 (1966)
18. Loving v. Virginia, 388 US 1 (1967)
19. Dandridge v. Williams, 397 US 471 (1970)
20. Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, 402 US 1 (1971)
21. Reed v. Reed, 404 US 71 (1971)
22. Johnson v. Louisiana, 406 US 356 (1972)
23. Police Dep't v. Mosley, 408 US 92 (1972)
24. Grayned v. City of Rockford, 408 US 104 (1972)
25. Mahan v. Howell, 410 US 315 (1973)
26. Washington v. Davis, 426 US 229 (1976)
27. Craig v. Boren, 429 US 190 (1976)

Part III
28. Village of Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan, 429 US 252 (1977)
29. Califano v. Goldfarb, 430 US 199 (1977)
30. Castaneda v. Partida, 430 US 482 (1977)
31. Trimble v. Gordon, 430 US 762 (1977)
32. Dothard v. Rawlinson, 433 US 321 (1977)
33. Orr v. Orr, 440 US 268 (1979)
34. Ambach v. Norwick, 441 US 68 (1979)
35. United States. Railroad Retirement Board v. Fritz, 449 US 166 (1980)
36. Michael M. v. Superior Court, 450 US 464 (1981)
37. Cabell v. Chavez-Salido, 454 US 432 (1982)
38. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Ward, 470 US 869 (1985)
39. Saint Francis College v. Al-Khazraji, 481 US 604 (1987)
40. Board of Estimate of City of New York v. Morris, 489 US 688 (1989)
41. Missouri v. Jenkins, 495 US 33 (1990)
42. Metro Broadcasting, Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission, 497 US 547 (1990)
43. United States v. Armstrong, 517 US 456 (1996)
44. Romer v. Evans, 517 US 620 (1996)
45. Saenz v. Roe, 526 US 489 (1999)
46. Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. 98 (2000) (2000)
47. Nguyen v. INS, 533 U.S. (2001)