Required AP GOV Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison

In deciding this case about judicial appointments, the court established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to declare an act of the legislative or executive branch unconstitutional.

McCullouch v. Maryland

In deciding this case about a national bank and state taxes, the court established supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws.

United States v. Lopez

Congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause when it made possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.

Baker v. Carr

This case held that redistricting did not raise political questions, allowing federal courts to hear other cases that challenge redistricting plans that may violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno

Under the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, majority-minority districts, created under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used in creating the district.

Engel v. Vitale

School sponsorship of religious activities violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

Schenck v. United States

Speech creating a "clear and present danger" was not protected by the First Amendment and could be limited.

Tinker v. Des Moines

A prohibition against public school students wearing black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War violated the students' freedom of speech protections in the First Amendment

New York Times v. United States

This case bolstered the freedom of the press protections of the First Amendment, establishing a "heavy presumption against prior restraint" even in cases involving national security.

McDonald v. Chicago

The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states.

Gideon v. Wainwright

In this case, the Sixth Amendment's right to an attorney extends procedural due process protections to felony defendants in state courts.

Brown v. Board of Education

Race-based school segregation violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

Political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.