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landmark Supreme Court Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court seal.

Marbury v Madison (1803)

Established Doctrine of Judicial Review. 

This is a landmark case which detailed the purpose & necessity of the Supreme Court's Constitution review powers. 

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Separate but equal. Plessy v Ferguson
Photo: Library of Congress loc.gov

Plessy V Ferguson (1896)

This important case represents the misguided decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in determining "Separate but Equal" was Constitutional.

Find out more

U.S. Supreme Court - Major First Amendment Cases

Freedom of speech includes the right:

"Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech..."

"Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech..."

 

  1.   - Not to speak (specifically, the right not to salute the flag).
    West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943).


  • Of students to wear black armbands to school to protest a war (“Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.”).
    Tinker v. Des Moines, 393 U.S. 503 (1969).


  • To use certain offensive words and phrases to convey political messages.
    Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971).


  • To contribute money (under certain circumstances) to political campaigns.
    Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1 (1976).


  • To advertise commercial products and professional services (with some restrictions).
    Virginia Board of Pharmacy v. Virginia Consumer Council, 425 U.S. 748 (1976); Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 433 U.S. 350 (1977).


  • To engage in symbolic speech, (e.g., burning the flag in protest).
    Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989); United States v. Eichman, 496 U.S. 310 (1990).

"Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech..."

"Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech..."

"Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech..."

Freedom of speech does NOT include the right:

"Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech..."

Freedom of speech does NOT include the right:

 

To incite imminent lawless action.
Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969).


  • To make or distribute obscene materials.
    Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476 (1957).


  • To burn draft cards as an anti-war protest.
    United States v. O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968).


  • To permit students to print articles in a school newspaper over the objections of the school administration. 
    Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).


  • Of students to make an obscene speech at a school-sponsored event.
    Bethel School District #43 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).


  • Of students to advocate illegal drug use at a school-sponsored event.
    Morse v. Frederick, __ U.S. __ (2007).


Source: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/what-does

Disclaimer: These resources are created by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for use in educational activities only. They may not reflect the current state of the law, and are not intended to provide legal advice, guidance on litigation, or commentary on legislation. 

U.S. Supreme Court Landmark Cases

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More Landmark supreme court cases - Coming Soon!

Judicial Power

Due Process & Equal Protection

The Federal System

Chisholm v Georgia (1793) 

Marbury v Madison (1803)

Cohens v Virginia (1821)

In Re Debs (1895)

Read about the Cases

The Federal System

Due Process & Equal Protection

The Federal System

McCulloch v Maryland

Texas v White

Insular Cases

Read about the Cases

Due Process & Equal Protection

Due Process & Equal Protection

Due Process & Equal Protection

Munn v Illinois

Lockner v New York

Adkins v Children's Hospital

West Coast Hotel Co. v Parrish

Baker v Carr

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Rights of Citizenship

Freedom of Speech & Expression

Due Process & Equal Protection

Dred Scott v Sanford

Ex parte Milligan

The Slaughter House Cases

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Freedom of Speech & Expression

Freedom of Speech & Expression

Freedom of Speech & Expression

Schenk v United States

Gitlow v New York

Watkins v United States

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Civil Rights

Freedom of Speech & Expression

Freedom of Speech & Expression

Plessy v Ferguson

Smith v Allwright

Brown v Board of Education

Read about the Cases

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