ap government court cases cheat sheet

Lemon

2 min read

·

01-02-2025

1

0

Share

This cheat sheet provides a concise overview of key Supreme Court cases frequently covered in AP Government courses. Remember, understanding the context and reasoning behind each case is crucial, not just memorizing the names. This guide serves as a starting point for deeper study.

Cases Related to Civil Liberties (Bill of Rights)

First Amendment (Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition):

• Tinker v. Des Moines (1969): Students' right to symbolic speech in schools. Students wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War were protected under the First Amendment. The key is whether the speech disrupts the educational environment.

• New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964): Established the "actual malice" standard for defamation cases involving public figures. Public figures must prove the statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for the truth. This protects freedom of the press.

• Engel v. Vitale (1962): Mandatory prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

• Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971): Established the "Lemon Test" to determine if government actions violate the Establishment Clause. A law must have a secular purpose, its primary effect must neither advance nor inhibit religion, and it must not foster excessive government entanglement with religion.

• Citizens United v. FEC (2010): Corporations and unions have the same First Amendment rights as individuals, allowing them to spend unlimited amounts of money on political advertising (independent expenditures). This significantly impacted campaign finance.

Fourth Amendment (Searches and Seizures):

• Mapp v. Ohio (1961): Evidence obtained illegally (without a warrant) is inadmissible in court ("exclusionary rule"). This applies to state courts as well, incorporating the Fourth Amendment.

• Terry v. Ohio (1968): "Stop and frisk" is allowed if police have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been, is being, or is about to be committed. This allows for brief detentions and pat-downs.

Fifth Amendment (Due Process, Self-Incrimination):

• Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Suspects must be informed of their rights before custodial interrogation (right to remain silent, right to an attorney). The "Miranda rights" are crucial for protecting against self-incrimination.

Sixth Amendment (Right to Counsel, Speedy Trial):

• Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): The state must provide legal counsel to indigent (poor) defendants in felony cases. This ensures equal access to justice.

Fourteenth Amendment (Due Process, Equal Protection):

• Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, allowing racial segregation. This case was later overturned.

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson. "Separate but equal" is inherently unequal.

• Ginsberg v. New York (1968): Upheld a New York law prohibiting the sale of material deemed obscene to minors.

Cases Related to Federalism and the Relationship Between Federal and State Governments

• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Established the principle of implied powers, allowing Congress to exercise powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution if they are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

• United States v. Lopez (1995): Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause. The Court ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's authority.

• Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): The Supreme Court interpreted the Commerce Clause broadly, giving the federal government significant power to regulate interstate commerce.

Cases Related to Rights of the Accused

• Roe v. Wade (1973): Established a woman's right to an abortion, based on the right to privacy implied in the Fourteenth Amendment. This remains a highly debated case.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it covers many of the landmark cases commonly studied in AP Government. Remember to consult your textbook and other resources for a more comprehensive understanding. Good luck with your studies!