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| court held that taxes on carriages containing people did not violate Article 1, Clause 9 requirement for the apportionment of direct taxes (imposed on an individual), because it was an excise tax (tax on an item). It is an example of originalism, because the ruling was based on the idea of the original intent of the framers. |
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| Case invalidated a law that prohibited any person from using methods to prevent contraception because it "violated a right to marital privacy". It set a precedent for future abortion cases and cases involving contraception. Justice Black argued in the dissent of the case that because the Constitution did not explicitly talk about privacy (textualism) it did not exist in general as a protected right, therefore not in this capacity either. |
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| With the institution of a federal bank, the state wanted to tax the government for operating within their state lines. With the S.C. ruling, it was determined that a state could not tax a federal entity because the federal government is supreme (overarching theme in the Constitution). This case is an example of structural analysis because it valued the theme of national supremacy over the rights of the states. |
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| 1973 decision which defined a woman's right to choose an abortion as a fundamental right, and set the precedent for future abortion cases. The decision was based on Griswold. |
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| Ruling that created the "good faith" exception to the exclusionary rule, which was that any evidence that was gained without a valid warrant was inadmissible in court. The rule was intended to protect citizens from illegal search and seizures. The evidence that had been collected was under a then invalid warrant, but it was allowed because the officers acted "in good faith" |
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| Court presented the question of whether the 4th amendment (prevention of unreasonable search and seizures) barred the use of evidence obtained through unconstitutional searches in state courts. Justice Frankfurter surveyed the law in all states and in several jurisdictions in england to find that state officials were not barred from using questionably obtained evidence in court |
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| Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition |
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| S.C. struck down a law which prohibited any visual depiction "picture, computer-generated image" that is or appears to be of a minor engaging in sexually explicit behavior because it violated the 1st Amendments Free Speech Guarantee. The case is an example of separation of powers because the judicial branch regulated the legislative branch. |
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| A court structure was established (Supreme Court, circuit courts, district courts) and there was specified jurisdiction of the federal courts (specified parameters of authority were determined - what issues they were and weren't allowed to cover). |
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| 42 justices of the peace in the District of Columbia were appointed and Speaker of the House, Madison, didn't deliver all of them. Marbury, denied of his position, ordered a writ of mandamus (court order that inferior officials fulfill their duties). Court determined that the denial of his position was wrong, but they had no jurisdiction in the case because the Judiciary Act permitting the writ was in conflict with the Constitution, where a writ was not listed under the formal duties of the S.C. Constitution ruled as supreme above all, and the need for judicial review was introduced |
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| A journalist writing editorials speaking out against Reconstruction laws after the Civil War was arrested and put under military tribunal to be tried. He argued his arrest was unconstitutional because he was not in the military or accused of treason, filing for habeas corpus (review by a court of reasons for arrest when there is unlawful imprisonment). Congress repealed the requested S.C. writ of mandamus, taking the jurisdiction away from the court and into the hands of Congress. S.C. acceded and declined to hear the case because Congress had moved it from the S.C. jurisdiction. |
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| Dispute between the R.I. state government and an opposition group who was trying to institute a new government in the state. The court was unable to rule or make judgment because the questions of the case were inherently political |
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| Woman didn't support her tax dollars going to a federal program to prevent infant mortality, claiming it was unconstitutional to use her money in a way she didn't agree with. The court said she lacked standing to make that judgment because the injury wasn't traceable to the defendant, there was no concrete injury. |
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| State rep. was controversial and achieved enough seniority to chair the House Committee on Ed. and Labor. His colleagues were concerned about his erratic and questionable behavior and lifestyle choices (stemming from an investigation), and wanted to unseat him. He met all the criteria to be a representative, so the S.C. ruled that Congress didn't have the authority to add qualifications to become a state rep to the Constitution. Congress & House couldn't refuse to seat him based on ruling |
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| U.S. Term Limit v. Thornton |
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| 23 states passed statutes imposing term limits on federal representatives. Amendment 73 to the Arkansas Const. prohibited anyone from seeking reelection after 2 senate or 3 rep terms. Suit was filed to challenge the constitutionality of these statutes. S.C. ruled that qualifications for Congress are fixed and cannot be altered because of the intention of the framers and that it wasn't in the original powers of the states to be able to do that. |
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| A member of Congress, was testifying regarding bankruptcy of John Cooke and Company, but refused to speak or explain why he wasn't speaking. He was arrested for contempt, and the S.C. ruled that the House had the power to punish for contempt. S.C. ruled that house members who facilitated the arrest of the rep. could not be sued for illegal imprisonment because they were simply carrying out their duties. |
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| Senator, during a public meeting, began reading the Pentagon Papers and then distributed them (which was completely forbidden). Subpeona was issued to his aid, and the senator argued that he was protected from the subpoena under the speech and debate clause (congress members are immune from arrest during congressional sessions). The protection to not be arrested during congressional sessions applied to his aide also, but both could be questioned regarding the matter in investigation. The protection offered by the clause is not absolute. |
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| Operation of a federal bank was a hotly debated and controversial topic b/c it was a controversy regarding national and states rights, along with federalism. State wanted to tax the national bank for operating within state lines. Establishment of a bank was not under the Constitution. Marshall argued it went under the necessary and proper clause, and that Congress ' powers were elastic and enumerated. Establishment of the bank was an implied power |
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| U.S. v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corporation |
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| Company avoided bankruptcy during the Great Depression by selling war planes to Bolivia in the Chaco War with Bolivia. Congress passed an order permitting the President to ban sale of arms to both countries, and the company violated the order. The S.C. ruled that because the executive branch and the president deals w/ foreign affairs, the President was well informed to determine if the statute was beneficial. President represents Congress and the executive in terms of foreign affairs. |
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| Mistretta v. United States |
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| Concern with the discrepancies in sentences imposed by federal judges. Sentence Reform Act (1984) created the U.S. Sentencing Commission, which gave standard guidelines on sentences. The plaintiff argued that his sentencing was unconstitutional due to the gross distribution of authority by Congress. S.C. ruled that it was a constitutional delegation of powers. |
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| S.C. first major ruling on the delegation of domestic powers. Case challenged a provision made to the Judicial Act, where the Federal Judiciary created its own rules. S.C. ruled that under the delegation of power under the act, Congress could grant authority to courts to make their own rules. |
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| S.C. hod that presidential enforcement powers were to be interpreted broadly |
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| Clinton, after it was approved and put into effect, used the Line Item Veto Power frequently, and cancelled 80 provisions in taxing and spending bills in the Balanced Budget Act. Part of the act provided funding for NY hospitals, and NY challenged Clinton's actions. S.C. ruled that the Line Item Veto Act violated the legislative procedure for bills outlined in the Constitution, giving the president the power to remove elements of a bill already approved by Congress. |
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| Case involving the legislative veto. Defendant was on an expired student visa and whose deportation was suspended by a immigration judge who believed he would "suffer extreme hardship" if deported. He received a letter of recommendation from the Attorney General that he remain in the U.S.. Congress vetoed the AG decision. S.C. ruled that the congressional veto provision was unconstitutional and resulted in too far of blending between separation of powers. |
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| Case regarding the Watergate Scandal and the President;s refusal to hand over evidence (tapes, documents, etc.) that would prove his and his administrations guilt. Nixon argued that he was protected by executive privilege, where he had the right and capability to refuse. S.C. ruled that the people's interest in fair administration of criminal justice outweighed the President's interest in confidentiality. |
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| President was sued by former employee when he was working as the governor of Arkansas for sexual harassment, which occurred before his presidency and had nothing to do with his current duties. S.C. held that executive immunity could be held narrowly, but Presidents could still be sued when in office. This limited executive power. |
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| Milligan was arrested during the Civil War for suspected future attempts to raid POW camps. Placed under military tribunal and ordered to be executed, he filed for a writ of habeas corpus and was denied. S.C. ruled that the suspension of habeas corpus was unconstitutional as long as civilian courts were still operative and it was not a war zone. |
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| Hamdi was captured as an enemy combatant after 9/11 and was detained indefinitely. AUMF gave the president all the force and right to do this. His father filed for habeas corpus b/c his son was being detained indefinitely without access to counsel and was denied it. S.C. ruled that Hamdi could be detained as long as the conflict lasted, but needed access to counsel. |
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| Amendment to the Gun Control Act made it so that there were required background checks in all states using the same procedures that state officials needed to follow. Printz filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of the act. S.C. ruled that provisions of the act were unconstitutional because the orders commanding the officers to handle procedures a certain way was an overextension of power. |
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