AP GOV UNIT 3 COURT CASES

• Gitlow v. New York


  A landmark case that established the "bad tendency" test for limiting free speech protections. The Court emphasized the importance of protecting speech, but recognized that there may be exceptions for speech that poses an imminent threat to society.
• Near v. Minnesota


  A case that established the importance of freedom of the press and protected publishers from prior restraint. The Court recognized that the press plays a crucial role in holding government accountable and providing citizens with information.
• Lemon v. Kurtzman


  A landmark case establishing the "Lemon test" for reviewing Establishment Clause cases. The Court emphasized the importance of separating church and state and requires government actions to have a secular purpose, not advance or inhibit religion, and not foster entanglement with religion.
• Engel v. Vitale


  A key case establishing that government-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause. The Court emphasized the importance of neutrality in government actions and the need to protect religious freedom.
• Schenck v. U.S.


  A case that established the "clear and present danger" test for limiting free speech during wartime. The Court emphasized the need for government action to protect national security, but also recognized the importance of protecting speech that does not pose an immediate threat.
• Brandenburg v. Ohio


  A landmark case protecting hate speech and limiting government power to restrict free speech. The Court emphasized the importance of protecting speech and recognized the value of public debate and discussion.
• NYT v. U.S.


  A case that established the importance of the freedom of the press in ensuring government transparency. The Court recognized the importance of protecting the press and its ability to continue to report on government activities.
• NYT v. Sullivan


  A landmark case protecting the freedom of the press from libel suits by public officials. The Court established the "actual malice" standard and recognized the importance of protecting the media's ability to report on government activities.
• Texas v. Johnson


  A case that established the right to burn the American flag as a form of free speech. The Court recognized the importance of protecting symbolic speech and the value of public debate and discussion.
• Tinker v. Des Moines


  A landmark case protecting student speech rights and establishing the "Tinker test." The Court recognized the importance of protecting student speech and emphasized the need for schools to encourage open discussion and debate.
• Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier


  A case that established the authority of school administrators to censor school-sponsored student publications. The Court recognized the importance of giving school administrators the authority to manage school-sponsored publications, but emphasized the need for schools to respect student rights and encourage open discussion and debate.
• Reynolds v. U.S.


  A landmark case that established the distinction between religious beliefs and religious practices in free exercise cases. The Court recognized the importance of separating church and state and emphasized the need for government neutrality in religious matters.
• Wisconsin v. Yoder


  A case that recognized the Amish community's right to practice their religious beliefs, including exemptions from public education. The Court recognized the importance of accommodating religious beliefs and practices and emphasized the need for government neutrality in religious matters.
• Grutter v. Bollinger


  The 2003 case that upheld the University of Michigan Law School's affirmative action admissions policy, stating that it served a compelling interest in promoting diversity and did not violate the Equal Protection Clause.
• 1. C. Regents v. Bakke


  The 1978 case that challenged the use of affirmative action in college admissions and established the "strict scrutiny" standard for race-based policies, but ultimately upheld the use of race as a factor in admissions decisions.
• Brown v. Board of Education


  The landmark 1954 case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, stating that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal and violating the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
• Griswold v. Connecticut


  The 1965 case that established a constitutional right to privacy and struck down Connecticut's abortion law and birth control ban, stating that the right to privacy is implicit in the Bill of Rights.
• Gideon v. Wainwright


  The 1963 case that established the right to appointed counsel for indigent defendants in felony cases, stating that Sixth Amendment rights apply to all criminal defendants, rich or poor.
• Mapp v. Ohio


  The 1961 case that established the exclusionary rule, requiring evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures to be excluded from court proceedings as a deterrent against police misconduct.
• Miranda v. Arizona


  The 1966 case that established the Miranda warning, requiring police to inform suspects of their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and Sixth Amendment right to counsel before questioning.
• New Jersey v. T.L.O.


  The 1985 case that established the "reasonable suspicion" standard for searched individuals, allowing police to search students based on reasonable suspicion of drug possession.
• McDonald v. Chicago


  The 2010 case that extended the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms to state and local governments, invalidating Chicago's handgun ban and requiring that state and local governments comply with the Second Amendment.
• 1. C. v. Heller


  The 2008 case that declared the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense, and struck down the District of Columbia's ban on handguns.
• 1. S. v. Lopez


  The 1995 case that ruled applying the Gun-Free School Zones Act to certain laws in Texas was unconstitutional because it exceeded Congress' power under the Commerce Clause.