Landmark Cases Marbury v.

Madison(1800- 1801)Judicial review- supreme court can declare something that the president/ congress does unconstitutional. William Marbury brought his suit (he and 3 other men felt that they were robbed of their positions) called for a writ of mandamus {issued by a superior court to compel a
lower court or a government officer to perform mandatory or purely ministerial duties correctly} that would order James Madison to deliver commissions. Outcome: Case thrown out of court. McCulloch v. MarylandCentered on the bank of the US (1792-1850)- (growing political debate over states rights). 1818Maryland came up with legislation to impose taxes on the bank. The bank cashier James McCulloch refused to pay the tax. (Questioned if congress had authority to establish the bank, and if state of Maryland unconstitutionally interfered with congressional powers). Gibbons v. Ogden(1824)- NY state law gave to people right to operate steamboat on state waters. (Did the State of New

York exercise authority in a realm reserved exclusively to Congress, namely, the regulation of interstate commerce?) outcome- court concluded that regulation of navigation of steamboat operators was a congressional power.
Dred Scott v. Sanford1856- MissouriDred Scott, a slave, went to Illinois from Missouri to become free. He had to go back to Missouri where he sued in Missouri court for his freedom. (was dred scott free?) conclusion- Dred Scott was a slave.

Under Articles III and IV, argued Taney, no one but a citizen of the United States could be a citizen of a state, and that only Congress could confer national citizenship. Taney reached the conclusion that no person descended from an American slave had ever been a citizen for Article III purposes. The Court then held the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, hoping to end the slavery question once and for all. Plessy v. Ferguson1895 (Lousiana) Louisiana enacted a legislation that segregated railway cars. Homer Adolph Plessy--who was seven-eighths Caucasian--took a seat in a "whites only" car of a Louisiana train. He refused to move to the car reserved for blacks and was arrested. (Is Louisiana's law mandating racial segregation on its trains an unconstitutional infringement on both the privileges and immunities

and the equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment?) Outcome- court ruled that state law was within constitutional boundaries, Weeks v. US1913 (Residence of Weeks)Fremont weeks home was subjected to search and seizure, a lottery ticket was found that allowed him to be arrested (for transporting lottery tickets through the mail) - Done w/o a search warrant. (Possible violation of the 14th amendment) outcome- unanimous ruling that the search and seizure without a warrant was under direct violation of the constitution (14th amendemnt). Brown v. Board of Education1952- African American children were not allowed to go to a Caucasian school because of laws established that segregated schools. (Possible violation of the fourteenth amendment) outcomesegregation was deemed unlawful. Integration was ordered in public education systems. Constitutional question being addressed- Does the segregation of public schools violate the 14th amendment of the constitution? Why is this case significant Had a large effect on segregation. Change in judicial system societyState maintained racial segregation was deemed unconstitutional. Engle v. Vitale(1961)- Board of regents for the state of NY organized a voluntary prayer to be recited each day at the beginning of school. (Prayer was nondenominational). (Possible violation of 1st amendment) outcome- nondenominational prayer deemed unconstitutional. Constitutional questionDoes the reading of a nondenominational prayer violate the 1st amendment (separation of church and state/ no establishment of religion. Mapp v. Ohio(1960)- Dollree Mapps home was illegally searched for a fugitive, and she was found in possession of illegal materials. She appealed her conviction- freedom of expression. (1st amendment freedom and 4th amendment). Outcome- declared evidence obtained unconstitutionally not applicable to the case. Miranda v. Arizona(1966)-Questioned the due process law (14th amendment). Ernesto Miranda had been questioned, had confessed, and had signed a written statement without being told that he had a right to a lawyer; his confession was used at trial. Outome- (caused the establishment of Miranda rights).

Brandenburg v. Ohio(1969)- KKK leader (Brandenburg) made a speech at a rally that was racist and was arrested for it. He believed that this violated his freedom of speech. Outcome- court deemed that the government could not constitutionally punish abstract advocacy or force law violation. Roe v. Wade(1974)- Landmark abortion case. Outcome- legalized abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Single mother in Texas (where abortion was illegal) wanted an abortion.