Summary of Important U.S. Supreme Court Case Rulings: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Cases

Roe v Wade (1973) – states cannot prevent women from receiving an abortion – based on implied right to privacy in 9th amendment (which was established in Griswold v. Connecticut case – 1965)

Miranda v Arizona (1966)-In order to protect themselves from self-incrimination and unfair police interrogation, those accused of a crime must be made aware of their “Miranda rights” before any questioning takes place (the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and that anything they say can be used against them in a court of law) – incorporates (applies) the 5th amendment to the states via the due process clause of the 14th amendment

Plessy v Ferguson (1896)-separate (segregated) facilities are legal as long as they are “equal” to each other

Mapp v Ohio (1961)-evidence obtained illegally may not be used in court – known as the “exclusionary rule” – incorporates (applies) the 4th amendment to the states via due process clause of 14th amendment

Smith v Oregon (1990)-free exercise of religion cannot be used as justification / an excuse for committing an act that would otherwise be illegal (ex. using illegal drugs)

Gideon v Wainwright (1963)-everyone has the right to an attorney to defend them of an accused crime; if a person cannot afford an attorney than one will be provided for them at the public’s expense – incorporates (applies) the 6th amendment to the states via due process clause of 14th amendment

Texas v Johnson (1989)-Burning the American flag as a form of protest is “symbolic speech” and protected by the First Amendment

Obergefell v Hodges (2015)-Marriage licenses for same-sex couples must be issued in every state and all states must recognize the marriages of same-sex couples in other states (decision based on due process and equal protection clauses of 14th amendment) – civil rights case

McDonald v. Chicago (2010) – The second amendment right to bear arms applies to the states

Bakke v Regents of Univ. of CA (1978) - public universities may use race as a factor in admission decisions, but cannot use racial quotas (affirmative action programs are constitutional as long as they do not use quotas) – decision based on equal protection clause of 14th amendment – civil rights case

Brown v Board of Education (1954)-separate school facilities based on race are unconstitutional; overturned the Plessy v Ferguson decision based on equal protection clause of 14th amendment – civil rights case

Gregg v. Georgia (1976) – The death penalty is not automatically a violation of the 8th amendment; therefore, individual states may choose to implement it for certain extreme crimes (such as murder)