Landmark Supreme Court Cases Flashcards
7 cards from real FCLE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Landmark Supreme Court Cases flashcards as text
In Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), the Supreme Court ruled that students:
Answer: Retain First Amendment rights as long as expression does not substantially disrupt school
The Court held that students do not 'shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate' unless the expression causes substantial disruption.
What was the central issue in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971), the 'Pentagon Papers' case?
Answer: Prior restraint on press freedom
The Court ruled against the government's attempt to stop publication, holding that prior restraint bears a heavy presumption against its constitutional validity.
Engel v. Vitale (1962) addressed the constitutionality of:
Answer: State-sponsored prayer in public schools
The Court struck down a New York school board's practice of beginning the school day with a government-composed prayer, citing the Establishment Clause.
The Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) established that:
Answer: States must provide an attorney to criminal defendants who cannot afford one
The Court unanimously ruled that the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel is a fundamental right that states must provide through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Which case established that the exclusionary rule applies to state courts, barring illegally obtained evidence?
Answer: Mapp v. Ohio
Mapp v. Ohio (1961) incorporated the exclusionary rule to the states, meaning evidence seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment cannot be used in state criminal trials.
In United States v. Nixon (1974), the Supreme Court ruled that:
Answer: Executive privilege must yield to a demonstrated need for evidence in a criminal trial
The unanimous Court held that while executive privilege exists, it is not absolute and must give way to the judicial need for evidence in a criminal proceeding.
Bush v. Gore (2000) was decided on the basis of which constitutional provision?
Answer: Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause
The Court held that inconsistent recount standards across Florida counties violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.