Historic Supreme Court Cases

Led to the enactment of the 11th (1798), which established that federal courts have no authority in suits by citizens against a state, thus preventing a citizen of another state from suing a state

Declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional and void. The principle of "judicial review" was first asserted and established with this desicion, although the Court first excercised the power of judicial review in Hylton v. United States in 1796 when it upheld the constitutionality of a Congressional tax

First found a state law to be unconstitutional

Established the Court's appellate power when "federal questions" are involved (see Cohens v. Virginia)

Upheld the doctrine of implied powers of the Constitution and allowed for a liberal interpretation by Congress

Ruled that a charter is a contract, which the Constitution protects against state legislative interference

Along with Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, established that a uniform interpretation applied for "federal questions" and that the court's escape scope of juridisction was founded on the doctrine of national supremacy

Established the basis for federal regulatory powers in the area of interstate commerce— It also established the precedent that Congress can invalidate contradictory laws of the states especially concerning the granting of monopoly privileges

Established the "original package" doctrine of goods if the "original package" were imports and subject to congressional and not state regulation

Ruled that it had no jurisdiction since the Cherokee Nation was a "domestic dependent nation" with no standing in court either as citizens or as a foreign nation, thus upholding Georgia's laws over the territory it claimed as its own

Declared a Georgia law to be unconstitutional by ruling that Georgia laws were not applicable within the territory of the Cherokee nation and that Federal jurisdiction over the Cherokee was exclusive

Declared Congressional act unconstitutional; Congress couldn't pass a law to deprive citizens of property w/o due process.

Neither Congress nor President could institute military tribunals to try civilians during wartime in areas where civil courts were available.

5 cases in which the Court restricted scope of federal authority by holding that 14th amendment didn't protect invasion of civil rights by individuals. i.e. the court allowed discrimination of blacks by private persons.

Separate but equal doctrine in upholding Louisiana law requiring segregated railroad facilities since both sets of facilities were equal.

10-hour day for bakers unconstitutional because it violated employer-employee freedom of contract.

Upheld dissolution of namesake company as it applied the rule of reason to Sherman Antitrust of 1890.

Ordered reorganization rather than dissolution of the company based on rule of reason.

Government can't restrict freedom of speech unless speech creates clear and present danger.

Established that most of guarantees in Bill of Rights were applicable to states.

"sick chicken case"; invalidated NIRA by ruling that Congress couldn't delegate leislative powers to the executive and could not regulate wholly interstate business.

Federal Government is empowered to regulate local labor union activities, upholding Wayne Act.

Truman's seizure of steel mills to prevent strike unconstitutional (first time).

Revesed Plessy v. Fergueson. Segregation is now unconstitutional.

Defined obscenity and ruled 1st amendment does not protect publication of obscene materials.

Eliminated the use of evidence obtained by illegal means in criminal trials.

Ended reapportionment of pol. districts in favor of rural areas; made decisions on "1 man 1 vote" basis

Nondenominational prayer by N.Y. board of regence unconstitutional.

Ended state-mandated bible reading and recitation of Lord's Prayer.

Indigent defendants get court-appointed counsel.

State legislators must be elected by "1 person 1 vote"; districts must be approx. equal in population.

Prohibited confession from being used as evidence if accused has been denied lawyer.

Suspects must be informed of rights.

Pentagon Papers case; prior censorship by g'vt unconstitutional, and attempt to block publication violates 1st amendment.

Death penalty unconstitutional b/c it violates 8th and 14th amendments.

Reporters not constitutionally privelaged under 1st amendment to refuse to reveal sources to jury.

Abortion.

Established detailed set of standards for evaluating obscenity. Gave more power to state/local g'vt to determine what is obscene.

Supreme Court, not President, is final judge of Constitution.

Prohibited specific quotas for university admissions programs to achieve racial balance.

Upheld patent of creating new life forms from man made microbes.

Refused to extend any constitutional right of privacy to homosexual activity.

Sexual harrassment = discrimination; prohibited under Civil Rights Act 1964.

States can't limit # of terms Congressmen can serve.

Ended Colorado constitutional provision that barred legislation protecting homosexuals from discrimination.

Sitting president doesn't have temporary immunity from lawsuit for actions outside official duties.

Florida election recounts couldn't continue; gave election to Bush.

U of M case whereby colleges can't use point systems blindly in favoring minorities

Michigan law school case; colleges may favor minority applicants as long as each background is fully assessed.

Homosexuals entitled to right of privacy and that private conduct is not a crime.