Landmark
Supreme Court Cases:
7th Grade Civics
Precedent Case
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A case that serves as a model for future cases.
Example – Privacy rights
1965 – Griswold v. Connecticut – woman has a right
to privacy when buying birth control
 1973 – Roe. v. Wade – woman has a right to privacy
when getting an abortion
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Precedents are useful for helping SC judges
make opinions
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
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The decision established “judicial review”: the
evaluation of federal laws’ constitutionality as a
power of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has the ability to review
laws, cases, decisions, etc. and judge their
constitutionality.
Major Check/Balance
power against the other
two branches
Plessy v. Fergusson (1896):
A Louisiana law required separate seating for white
and African Americans on public railroads
(segregation).
--Herman Plessy said his 14th Amendment
rights (Equal Protection Clause) had been violated.
--The Supreme Court ruled that his rights were
not violated, and segregated public facilities were
permitted until 1954.
- SEPARATE BUT EQUAL
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
10-year-old, Linda Brown, was not allowed to attend
her neighborhood school because she was African
American.
--Linda Brown said her 14th Amendment rights
(Equal Protection Clause) had been violated.
--The Supreme Court ruled that “separate but
equal” segregation was a violation of the Equal
Protection Clause. This decision overturned the precedent
established by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896.
Mapp v. Ohio (1962):
Dollree Mapp was convicted of having obscene materials in her home.
Mapp appealed the conviction, saying that the police had violated
her rights by entering her house without a warrant.
The Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision,
saying that the police had acted improperly, this excluding
the evidence that they had found.
“Exclusionary Rule”: excludes all evidence that is found in
illegal police searched.
Clarence Gideon
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963):
Clarence Gideon was found guilty of breaking and entering
and sentenced him to 5 years in prison.
Gideon appealed claiming that he did have the right to an
attorney and the Supreme Court agreed
Gideon received a new trial (with a court-appointed
attorney) and was found not guilty.
“The Gideon Rule”: guarantees counsel to all poor
persons facing a felony charge (6th Amendment).
Miranda v. Arizona (1966):
Ernesto Miranda was arrested for kidnapping and sexual
assault – he signed a full confession including a statement that he “had
full knowledge of his legal rights.”
Miranda appealed claiming that he had not received warning
or legal counsel to guide his decision to confess.
The Supreme Court agreed with Miranda, saying that all
suspects must be forewarned that they have the right to
remain silent and the right to an attorney.
“Miranda Rule”: before a suspect is questioned by police,
he/she must be:
The Miranda Rights:
1. Told of their right to remain silent.
2. Warned that whatever they say may be used in court.
3. Informed of their right to an attorney.
4. Informed that an attorney will be provided if they
cannot afford one.
5. Told that they can stop police questioning at any
time.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
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The issue in Roe v. Wade was not abortion; it was
actually about privacy
In Griswold v. Connecticut (1965), the SC found
that a woman’s right to privacy is protected
when she is looking for birth control
In Roe v. Wade, the SC used Griswold as a
precedent to uphold the practice of abortion
However, states may make laws that regulate
abortion
Gregg v. Georgia (1976):
Troy Gregg was sentenced to death after being found guilty of 2
counts of armed robbery and 2 counts of murder.
Gregg appealed claiming that the sentence violated the
“cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the 8th
Amendment.
The Supreme Court denied the appeal, stating for the
first time that “the death penalty does not invariably violate
the Constitution”.
New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985):
T.L.O. (a New Jersey high school student) was sentenced to
probation by juvenile court after a vice-principal searched
her purse and found cigarettes and marijuana.
T.L.O. appealed the ruling saying the principal’s search was
unreasonable.
The Supreme Court denied the appeal, saying that schools
are allowed more leeway when conducting searches.
The Court created a “reasonable suspicion” rule for schools
conducting searches, instead of the “probable cause” rule
that exists for the rest of society.
Bush v. Gore (2000)
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The 2000 presidential election was one of the
closest in history
Race came down to Florida, which was having
ballot issues – too close to call
Gore was initially declared winner, but then
Bush was announced winner
Recount was requested by Gore, but stopped
by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision.
The Issue in Florida (2000)
Bush v. Gore (con’t)
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Bush v. Gore was controversial for several
reasons:
Political question – generally, the SC stays out of
political matters
 It decided the outcome of the 2000 election
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Serves as a precedent for future matters
regarding electoral politics
SC Case Review
What were the main arguments/outcomes of
each of the following cases?
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Miranda v. Arizona
Plessy v. Fergusson
Brown v. Board of Education
Gregg v. Georgia
Mapp v. Ohio
TLO v. New Jersey
Marbury v. Madison