most important supreme court cases since 2000most important supreme court cases since 2000

The Supreme Court agreed, stating that the government could not sponsor such religious activities. 2) Department of Education v. Brown; Biden v. Nebraska. The Supreme Court ruled that the defendants' right to potentially exculpating evidence outweighed the President's right to executive privilege if national security was not compromised. This essentially gave the high court the legal authority for every decision it would make in the future. Among the decisions repeatedly praised by the law-school professors were those that championed civil and individual liberties, as well as those that made democracy more participatory. This is an important decision for campaign spending. The case: In 1963, three men were suspiciously walking back and forth in a block in Cleveland, Ohio, and a detective thought they were preparing to rob a store. Matthew Simmons was sentenced to death for the murder of a woman when he was 17 years of age. Established the federal government's implied powers over the states. They argued that the states could nullify federal court decisions if they felt that the federal courts were violating the Constitution. Holding:Indigent defendants must be provided representation without charge. The 5-4 decision along partisan lines by Justice Kennedy has become a rallying cry for political campaigns, a proposed litmus test for judicial nominees, and even the basis of a constitutional amendment. New York Times Co. v. U.S. (1971). Since storage facilities were devoted to the public, they could be regulated. U.S. v. Nixon(1974) WebCourt historians and other legal scholars consider each Chief Justice of the United States who presides over the Supreme Court of the United States to be the head of an era of here is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens; there is no caste here. Millions of Americans equate. Summarized cases are browsable by date and searchable by docket According to James Salzman, a professor of law and environmental policy at Duke University, the majority's acknowledgement of climate change science put this case on the legal map. Roper v. Simmons(2005) In this activity, students do a simulation of aSupreme Court deliberationthat introduces them to the difficult role of the courts balancing individual rights and public safety. The issue for this case was whether the 14th Amendment protected them. The decision: The Supreme Court held 7-2 that overly restrictive legislation around abortion was unconstitutional. The court confirmed that Congress has broad powers, under the commerce clause, to address important national problemsmany of which are still with us and still need addressing today. The case: When Ohio police thought a suspected bomber was hiding out in Dollree Mapp's house, they forced their way in without a warrant. The decision affirms that "lawyers in criminals courts are necessities, not luxuries." The case: This case was triggered by the Watergate scandal, when a special prosecutor asked for tapes that President Richard Nixon had recorded in the White House. Justice Clark wrote in his majority opinion that "the exclusionary rule," which prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in criminal trials, was essential. The Supreme Court ruled that this search was reasonable. The decision: The Supreme Court held 8-1 that there was nothing in the Eighth or 14th Amendments that said Carrie Buck could not be sterilized. The case: In 1828, Georgia passed laws prohibiting anyone except Native Americans from living on Native American land. On their return, they were charged with breaking the law and sentenced to one year in prison. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. Plessy v. Ferguson. Criminal defendants have a right to an attorney even if they cannot afford one. Sort by: Name. Roper argued that "evolving standards of decency" prevented the execution of an individual for crimes committed before the age of 18. "Learn more about this case. Heres a sampling of the opinions generated when we asked court-watchers to put the best decisions of the past 55 years on the scales. Lochner appealed, arguing the law was unconstitutional. He was arrested and charged with desecrating a venerated object, which was banned under Texas law. The case: After a fight at home between a separated couple, a woman called the police and told them to come in, then showed them cocaine she said her husband was using. Blood tests indicated he was the father. The Supreme Court inEarlsupheld this practice. After defending himself poorly Gideon went to prison. The man appealed. The case:Students for Fair Admissions, a nonprofit led by conservative activist Edward Blum, accused the University of North Carolina of discriminating against Asian and white applicants and violating the Constitution's equal protection clause by considering race in its admissions. Gibbons argued that the US Constitution gave Congress power over interstate commerce. The nonprofit brought the cases to the Supreme Court in October 2022, urging the court to overturn Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), which upheld affirmative action. InPlessy v. Ferguson(1896), the Supreme Court sanctioned segregation by upholding the doctrine of "separate but equal." Madison (1803) The March 1803 decision established the principle of judicial review or the power of the federal court to declare legislative and executive acts FAQs: Filing a Judicial Conduct or Disability Complaint Against a Federal Judge, Archives of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability, Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation Fees, Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination, National Court Interpreter Database (NCID) Gateway, Transfer of Excess Judiciary Personal Property, Electronic Public Access Public User Group, Statistical Tables for the Federal Judiciary, Asset Management Planning Process Handbook, Judiciary Conferences That Cost More Than $100,000, Long Range Plan for Information Technology, Proposed Amendments Published for Public Comment, Laws and Procedures Governing the Work of the Rules Committees, How to Suggest a Change to Federal Court Rules and Forms, How to Submit Input on a Pending Proposal, Open Meetings and Hearings of the Rules Committee, Permitted Changes to Official Bankruptcy Forms, Congressional and Supreme Court Rules Packages, Preliminary Drafts of Proposed Rule Amendments, Confidentiality Regulations for Pretrial Services Information, U.S. Courts of Appeals and Their Impact on Your Life, Korematsu v. U.S. Balancing Liberties and Safety. New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964). Holding:Certain school voucher programs are constitutional. The courts one-person, one-vote ruling was perhaps the most radical decision in its history. The case: During a protest in 1984 against then-President Ronald Reagan and local corporations in Dallas, Gregory Johnson covered the American flag in kerosene then lit it on fire, offending witnesses. Chief Justice John Roberts said universities have "concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individual's identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the color of their skin. Sullivan, a Montgomery city commissioner, sued The Times for defamation, though he wasn't mentioned. But the new administration's Secretary of State James Madison wouldn't validate the appointment. Joseph Lochner, a Bavarian baker, was fined twice, because his employees worked more than 60 hours. When his master died in 1849, he sued the widow, arguing his time in the slave-free state made him a free man. Invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Holding:Even offensive speech such as flag burning is protected by the First Amendment. "There is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens; there is no caste here. Its no surprise that the ever-controversial decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) Her father, Oliver Brown, believed this was a breach of the 14th Amendment, which says, "no state can deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." States and localities do not need federal approval to change voting laws. ", The decision: The Supreme Court held unanimously that mental patients could not be confined in institutions against their will, if they weren't dangerous and were capable of surviving in society. For the next three decades, the court struck down minimum wage laws, rights to organize, and child safety laws using Lochner as precedent, before reversing course and allowing such laws. It is seldom possible to say that we are a better nation by virtue of a decision by the Supreme Court, but in this instance we emphatically are. For, throughout all of 2016's ups and downs, the Court continued to shape American law, government, and politics, with important rulings in the areas of criminal The case: Allan Bakke, a 35-year-old Vietnam war veteran, was rejected from medical school at the University of Californiatwice. Texas v. Johnson (1989). In Time Magazine's list of the worst Supreme Court cases since 1960, the editors concluded this case enforced the idea that discrimination against the poor did not violate the Constitution, and education wasn't a fundamental right. Highway Checkpoints for Drugs (Nov. 28, 2000): Court, 63, finds highway checkpoints with the primary purpose of detecting illegal drugs violates Fourth For one thing, the nine justices on the Supreme Court never have to worry that their verdicts might be reversed by a higher courtthere isnt one. These two 5-4 decisions, with Justice Kennedy joining the liberals and four conservatives in dissent, They also advocated for a general strike, and had put out a call to arms if the US intervened in Russia. This is one of the most cited Supreme Court decisions of all time, and this standard became known as the "Chevron Defense.". The Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage instantly will enter the pantheon of landmark Supreme Court cases, and for good reason. They argued the compulsory attendance violated their rights under the First Amendment, specifically the Free Exercise Clause. United States v. Nixon, 1974 (8-0 decision). DISCLAIMER: These resources are created by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for educational purposes only. The decision: The Supreme Court held unanimously that the act was not exceeding Congress's power. We sent our admittedly unscientific survey invitation to more than 50 such scholars and garnered 34 responses. A woman's husband is to be presumed father of her children, regardless of anyone else's claim. The Supreme Court agreed and applied to the states the exclusionary rule fromWeeks v. United States(1914). The case: In 1871, Illinois passed legislation that set the maximum rate private companies could charge for storing and transporting agricultural goods. (Amish families think the content of secondary and higher education conflicts with their life of austerity.) New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964). He approached them, identified himself, then frisked them and found two concealed guns. Reynolds v. Sims (1964). They may not reflect the current state of the law, and are not intended to provide legal advice, guidance on litigation, or commentary on any pending case or legislation. Bush v. Gore. This decision, which legalized interracial marriage, put the last nail in the coffin of the Souths system of racial apartheid. Date: June 30, 2023. Tinker v. Des Moines(1969)Holding:Students do not leave their rights at the schoolhouse door. This would help offset the cost of tuition at private, including parochial (religiously affiliated), schools. The ability of federal courts to declare legislative and executive actions unconstitutional is known as judicial review. It settles the major civil rights issue of the early 21st century. The decision: The Supreme Court held 7-2 that the law was constitutional, and that the state can regulate private industries when it affects the public. Once confirmed, justices can serve for as long as they want. But this case arose out of what his lawyer didn't do during the trial. It also found that abstract discussions are not the same as actual preparation to engage in violence. After hours of police interrogations, Ernesto Miranda confessed to rape and kidnapping. In 1857, the earliest of the Supreme Court cases that involved race, there was a case Nine students at an Ohio public school received 10-day suspensions for disruptive behavior without due process protections. Justice Hugo Black wrote for the majority: "It is a matter of history that this very practice of establishing governmentally composed prayers for religious services was one of the reasons which caused many of our early colonists to leave England and seek religious freedom in America.". Along with three couples from Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee, they sued their states, claiming they were in breach of the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment, which says, "no state shall deny to any citizen within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.". Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Upheld use of race as one of many factors in college admissions. In 1927, the Saturday Press, a newspaper based in Minneapolis, began to publish articles attacking several public officials. It made access to abortion a constitutional right. The case: Richard Heller, a security guard who lived in D.C. and carried a gun for work, was not allowed to have a gun at home, due to the city's laws. Just before the nation's highest court entered summer recess at the end of June this year, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court issued two highly-anticipated rulings one ending affirmative action at colleges and universities and another striking down President Joe Biden's student-loan forgiveness plan. Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote in dissent: "My objection to the performance standard adopted by the Court is that it is so malleable that, in practice, it will either have no grip at all or will yield excessive variation To tell lawyers and the lower courts that counsel for a criminal defendant must behave 'reasonably' and must act like 'a reasonably competent attorney' is to tell them almost nothing.". The decision: The Supreme Court held unanimously that the Amish families' right to religious freedom was not overridden by the state's interest in education. They can still enter to protect someone from harm or to chase a fleeing suspect, for example. The decision: The Supreme Court held unanimously that state courts were required to appoint attorneys for those who could not afford their own counsel. The decision: The Supreme Court held 5-4 that the individual mandate was legitimate, because it was in essence a tax, and struck down the provision that would withhold funds for states which did not expand the program. The Constitution did not give the Court this power. The ad was looking for donations to defend Martin Luther King Jr. and criticized the Montgomery police. Last year, the court overturned a landmark case that legalized abortion in 1973. Opinionated Views on Law, Politics, Economics, and More from Michael Dorf, Neil Buchanan, Eric Segall, & (Occasionally) Others. ", The case: James Obergefell and John Arthur, a couple from Ohio, got married in Maryland. The case: In 1963, police obtained a written confession from Ernesto Miranda that said he had kidnapped and raped a woman. Marbury v. Madison(1803) Brown, along with a dozen other parents, challenged the segregation policy on behalf of their 20 children. Marbury v. Madison. It struck down the Georgia law prohibiting white people living on Native American land. He appealed, on the basis that the law was in breach of his First Amendment rights. This case opened up the police's ability to investigate activity they deem suspicious. In the New York school system, each day began with a nondenominational prayer acknowledging dependence upon God. Holding:The Constitution gives the federal government certain implied powers. Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S. (1964). The case: This case arose from a suit brought by a slave in Missouri named Dred Scott. Sen. James L. Buckley, and a coalition of groups, filed a suit arguing that the Federal Election Campaign Act, which limited spending and required spending disclosures, weren't constitutional. Same-sex marriage is legalized across all 50 states. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier(1988) The decision: The Supreme Court held 5-4 that the New York law was unconstitutional. The decision: The Supreme Court held 5-4 that corporations and unions can spend as much as they like to convince people to vote for or against political candidates, as long as the spending is independent of the candidates. The decision: The Supreme Court held 5-3 that in at least a few circumstances the right to search and enter is not valid if one of the occupants says they can't, ruling in the husband's favor. Loving v. Virginia (1967). Because the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land, the Court held that any contradictory congressional Act is without force. This case opened the door to Citizens United. Check ourencyclopedia for a gloss on thousands of topics from biographies to the table of elements. Holding:The President is not above the law. In Ohio, same-sex marriage was not allowed on death certificates. Upheld the mandate that most Americans have health insurance. The Department of Agriculture fined Roscoe Filburn, a wheat farmer in Ohio, for growing too much. These addresses were conducted over the school's loudspeakers and usually involved a prayer. Its no surprise that the ever-controversial decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) Prisoners must be advised of their rights before being questioned by police. However, the quality of criminal defense services varies across the country. The decision: The Supreme Court unanimously held that it was discriminatory, since it was based on the sex of the applicant, even if it was about motherhood. The case: This case came about in 1999, when Massachusetts, 11 other states, and several environmental organizations petitioned for the EPA to start regulating carbon dioxide coming out of new motor vehicles, since it was a pollutant. It also was a key case showing the enforcement of separation between church and state. Holding:Students are entitled to certain due process rights. The decision: The Supreme Court held 8-1 that Alabama's apportionment scheme had breached the 14th Amendment. The case: Ida Phillips applied for a job at the Martin Marietta Corporation, a missile plant in Orlando. The principle that sustains compulsory vaccination is broad enough to cover cutting Fallopian tubes Three generations of imbeciles are enough.". He also mentioned action might need to be taken, and was filmed by media he had invited to the gathering. Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). He sued, arguing Congress didn't have the authority, since he'd never planned to sell all of the wheat. But the Federal Election Campaign Act banned corporations and unions from spending money to advocate during elections. A judge suspended their sentence as long as they didn't return to the state together for 25 years. Not every decision has aged well. Washington appealed, arguing his counsel's assistance was constitutionally ineffective. And the judges were uneasy about the idea that both sexes were equally equipped to do all jobs. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, 2012 (5-4 decision). More importantly, this ruling held that the Supreme Court had the power of "judicial review" to decide whether a law or executive action is constitutional. Shelby County v. Holder, 2013 (5-4 decision). The decision: The Supreme Court unanimously held that Congress had the power to regulate activities in the industry, and within states, when the activities had substantial effects on interstate commerce. Several government officials in southern states, including the governor and legislature of Alabama, refused to follow the Supreme Court'sBrown v. Board of Educationdecision. Based on a right to privacy in the 14th Amendment, the state was not allowed to regulate a woman's decision. InVeronia School District v. Acton (1995), the Supreme Court held that random drug tests of student athletes do not violate the Fourth Amendment's prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures. One-person, one-vote is constitutionally required. The case stopped journalists from being censored, and enabled the press to fulfill its role as watchdog, including the printing of the Pentagon Papers in 1971. A second decision called for lower courts and school boards to proceed with desegregation. The Tinkers were removed from school when they failed to comply, but the Supreme Court ruled that their actions were protected by the First Amendment. The case: A young woman named Carrie Buck was diagnosed with "feeble mindedness," and committed to a state institution after she was raped by her foster parent's nephew, and had his child. It was the first time in 70 years the Supreme Court ruled on the Second Amendment. Nixon released edited versions, but not the complete tapes, leading to Nixon and the prosecutor both filing petitions to be heard in the Supreme Court. The court said the law interfered with the contract between an employer and and his employees. Scott had lived for a time in the free state of Illinois. When Madison Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue Merge: What If the Democrats Had Not Pursued Impeachment? In a watershed moment for civil rights, the case found that people of any race, anywhere in the US, can get married, striking down laws banning inter-racial marriage in 16 states. The decision: The Supreme Court held unanimously that the bubble policy was valid. Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court held that his free speech rights were not violated. The US justice system would not be what it is today without this decision. Magazines, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Best Supreme Court Decisions Since 1960. New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)Holding:In order to prove libel, a public official must show that what was said against them was made with actual malice. A weapon was found on Terry and he was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon. She was on life support for five years, and had no chance of recovery, but doctors estimated she could have lived on life support for another 30 years. In the 1988 caseThompson v. Oklahoma, the Supreme Court ruled that executing persons for crimes committed at age 15 or younger constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. The law would go on to be used to dismantle many other forms of racist discrimination. The case: In 1808, New York state gave Aaron Ogden a 20-year license to operate his steamboats on waters within the state. A judge, using the 1925 law, issued a temporary restraining order against the newspaper. He argued his rejections were due to "reverse racism", since his grades were better than the 16 people who got in on minority seats. In the majority opinion, Justice Brennan wrote: "if there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable We do not consecrate the flag by punishing its desecration, for in doing so we dilute the freedom that this cherished emblem represents.". The case: Homer Plessy, who was black under Louisiana law of the time, boarded a train and sat in a car that was reserved for white passengers. The US Supreme Court, the court of last resort, has undeniably changed the country. The case: A non-profit organization called Citizens United made a disparaging film about Hilary Clinton and they wanted to run an advertisement for it during the 2008 election. The decision: The Supreme Court held 5-4 that the Public Nuisance law was unconstitutional. As a textual matter, the word "appropriate" suggests the Court should defer to Congress when it enacts laws under the Fifteenth Amendment, and as an historical matter everyone knows the major purpose of all the Reconstruction Amendments was to make sure the Southern States would treat the newly freed slaves equally. This was the first case to challenge the Civil Rights Act, and by upholding it, the act was legitimatized and strengthened. The officer stopped and frisked the men. The case: David Washington was sentenced to death after he pleaded guilty to murder. Some schools then began to require drug tests of all students in extracurricular activities. Learn more about this case. But in terms of sheer impact, I think the five above were the most impactful, though reasonable people can certainly disagree. President cannot use executive privilege to withhold evidence from criminal trial. WebEarls (2002) Holding: Random drug tests of students involved in extracurricular activities do not violate the Fourth Amendment. Federal government must provide benefits to legally married same-sex couples. Engel v. Vitale (1962) and 8. Plessy argued that the Separate Car Act, which required all railroads to provide equal but separate accommodation, was violating his rights under the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. This decision was an affirmation of love and a resounding rejection of the ideology of white supremacy. 13 states still had a ban on gay marriage. Ah, the glorious life of a Supreme being. Chief Justice Hughes wrote, "This statute raises questions of grave importance transcending the local interests involved in the particular action. The issue was whether speech advocating for violence was protected by the First Amendment. However, on top of the ruling, five of the justices in the majority opinion also ruled to overturn Roe, repealing a landmark case that made abortion legal in the US for nearly five decades. Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. Despite his dissent, the decision solidified the "separate but equal" doctrine for the next six decades. A majority of the Supreme Court agreed with Roper, and held that to execute him for his crime would violate the Eighth Amendment. *This case relates to students.Learn more about this case. (1985)Holding:Students have a reduced expectation of privacy in school. The decision: The Supreme Court held 6-1 that reading an official prayer at school violated the constitution, because it was an "establishment of religion." The Fifteenth Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, prohibits racial discrimination in voting and gives Congress the authority to enforce it through "appropriate legislation." Observing Terry and others acting suspiciously in front of a store, a police officer concluded that they might rob it. Dobbs refers to Dr. Thomas E. Dobbs, the state's Department of Health officer, but he had little to do with the overall case. It found that if the law is clear then agencies must follow it, and when a a law does not have a clear meaning, the courts should defer to the federal agency's interpretation of the law. Infoplease knows the value of having sources you can trust. Baker v. Carr (1962). The case: In 1977, Congress added an amendment to the Clean Air Act, requiring states to establish programs to reduce power plant pollution. The case: The 1921 Maternity Act gave states money for programs aimed to help mothers and their infants. The decision: The Supreme Court held 5-4 that a biological father does not have a fundamental right to obtain parental rights, after the presumed father had acted in a responsible way for the child. The justices ruled that the right to vote is a fundamental right, and equal participation is crucial. The case: This case stemmed from the apportionment scheme in Alabama. The decision: The Supreme Court unanimously held states cannot interfere with Congress's ability to regulate commerce. Because the police officers never produced a search warrant, she argued that the materials should be suppressed as the fruits of an illegal search and seizure. This case broadened protections for political dissent. The Pentagon Papers case helped preserve our democracy by allowing free speech and debate about important government policies. Arthur was chronically ill and wanted to have Obergefell on his death certificate. Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens," he wrote. During that time, two different people volunteered to be responsible for him, but the hospital refused to release him. Being indigent, he petitioned the judge to provide him with an attorney free of charge. sweeping language so that it would not become obsolete. The decision: On June 29, the Supreme ruled 6-3 against the admissions processes at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, deeming it unconstitutional to consider race in college applications.