👩🏼‍⚖️Courts and Society Unit 3 – Landmark Supreme Court cases

Key Cases and Their Significance

• Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the principle of judicial review, granting the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional and paving the way for the Civil Rights Movement
  • Unanimously held that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal"
  • Rejected the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
• Roe v. Wade (1973) recognized a constitutional right to privacy, protecting a woman's right to choose to have an abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy
• Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) established the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants, even if they cannot afford an attorney
• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, recognizing it as a fundamental right under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment

Historical Context

• Many landmark cases arose during times of significant social, political, and cultural change in the United States
• Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was decided during the era of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in the post-Reconstruction South
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) occurred during the early stages of the Civil Rights Movement, challenging racial segregation in public schools
• Roe v. Wade (1973) was decided amidst the women's rights movement and changing attitudes towards reproductive rights
• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) followed decades of activism by the LGBTQ+ community and a gradual shift in public opinion towards same-sex marriage
  • Reflected changing societal attitudes and increasing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights

Constitutional Issues at Stake

• Landmark cases often involve fundamental constitutional rights and principles, such as equal protection, due process, and individual liberties
• Marbury v. Madison dealt with the separation of powers and the role of the judiciary in interpreting the Constitution
• Brown v. Board of Education addressed equal protection under the law and the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools
• Roe v. Wade involved the right to privacy and the extent to which the government can regulate personal decisions, such as abortion
  • Balanced the state's interest in protecting potential life against a woman's right to privacy and bodily autonomy
• Gideon v. Wainwright concerned the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and due process in criminal proceedings
• Obergefell v. Hodges involved the fundamental right to marry and equal protection for same-sex couples

Arguments Presented

• In landmark cases, both sides present compelling arguments based on constitutional principles, legal precedent, and societal considerations
• In Brown v. Board of Education, the plaintiffs argued that segregated schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and caused psychological harm to African American children
  • The defendants argued that segregated schools were constitutional under the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson
• In Roe v. Wade, the plaintiff argued that the right to privacy, derived from the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause, protected a woman's decision to have an abortion
  • The state of Texas argued that it had a compelling interest in protecting potential life and could regulate or prohibit abortion
• In Obergefell v. Hodges, the plaintiffs argued that banning same-sex marriage violated the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment
  • The defendants argued that states had the right to define marriage and that same-sex marriage was not a fundamental right

Court's Decision and Reasoning

• In landmark cases, the Supreme Court's majority opinion sets forth the legal reasoning behind its decision and establishes precedent for future cases
• In Marbury v. Madison, the Court held that it had the power to review the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress, establishing the principle of judicial review
  • The Court reasoned that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that it is the judiciary's role to interpret and apply the Constitution
• In Brown v. Board of Education, the Court unanimously held that segregated public schools were unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson
  • The Court reasoned that segregated schools were inherently unequal and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
• In Roe v. Wade, the Court held that the right to privacy protected a woman's decision to have an abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy
  • The Court established a trimester-based framework, balancing the state's interests with a woman's right to privacy
• In Gideon v. Wainwright, the Court held that the Sixth Amendment right to counsel applied to state criminal proceedings and that the government must provide an attorney to defendants who cannot afford one
  • The Court reasoned that the assistance of counsel is essential to a fair trial and due process

Dissenting Opinions

• In landmark cases, justices who disagree with the majority opinion may write dissenting opinions, expressing their alternative legal reasoning and concerns
• In Plessy v. Ferguson, Justice John Marshall Harlan was the lone dissenter, arguing that the Constitution is "color-blind" and that segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause
• In Roe v. Wade, Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Byron White wrote dissenting opinions, arguing that the right to privacy did not extend to abortion and that the Court had overstepped its authority
  • The dissenting opinions criticized the majority for engaging in "judicial legislation" and usurping the role of the states in regulating abortion
• In Obergefell v. Hodges, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito each wrote dissenting opinions
  • The dissenting opinions argued that the Court had exceeded its authority and that the decision should have been left to the democratic process and individual states

Impact on Law and Society

• Landmark Supreme Court cases have far-reaching impacts on American law and society, shaping the interpretation of the Constitution and the rights of individuals
• Brown v. Board of Education led to the desegregation of public schools and inspired further efforts to dismantle racial segregation in other areas of society
  • The decision paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Roe v. Wade established a nationwide right to abortion, but also sparked ongoing debate and controversy over the issue
  • The decision has faced challenges and modifications, such as Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), which affirmed the central holding of Roe but modified the trimester-based framework
• Gideon v. Wainwright expanded access to legal representation for criminal defendants, helping to ensure a more fair and just criminal justice system
• Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, providing equal rights and recognition for LGBTQ+ couples
  • The decision led to changes in various areas of law, such as adoption, employment benefits, and estate planning

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Landmark Supreme Court cases continue to shape legal and political discourse, as well as the lives of individuals and communities
• The principle of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison remains a cornerstone of the American legal system, allowing the Supreme Court to serve as a check on the other branches of government
• The legacy of Brown v. Board of Education continues to influence discussions about racial equality, education, and affirmative action
  • Despite progress, issues of racial segregation and disparities in education persist, highlighting the ongoing need to address systemic inequalities
• Roe v. Wade remains a contentious issue, with ongoing efforts to restrict or expand abortion rights at the state level and potential challenges to the decision in the Supreme Court
• Gideon v. Wainwright's impact on the criminal justice system is still felt today, as issues of access to quality legal representation and the underfunding of public defender offices continue to be addressed
• Obergefell v. Hodges has transformed the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families, but challenges remain in areas such as employment discrimination, adoption rights, and public accommodations
  • The decision has also sparked debates about religious liberty and the balance between individual rights and deeply held beliefs