Landmark Supreme Court Cases Quiz

Questions and Answers

What was the ruling in Edwards v. Aguillard?

Teachers can choose which theory to teach.

Teaching creationism in public schools is unconstitutional. (correct)

Creationism can be taught in public schools if evolution is also taught.

Creationism must be taught alongside evolution.

What did Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) uphold?

The right to use contraceptives.

Engle v. Vitale determined that school-sanctioned prayer is constitutional.

False

Tinker v. Des Moines upheld the students' right to wear black armbands as a form of protest.

True Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court rule in New York Times v. United States?

The First Amendment rights should be absolute. Signup and view all the answers

What issue was addressed in Miller v. Texas?

Second Amendment applicability to the states. Signup and view all the answers

Powell v. Alabama determined that defendants in a capital trial must be provided legal counsel.

True Signup and view all the answers

In Nix v. Williams, any evidence obtained in a violation of the defendant's constitutional rights is admissible in court if a ____ would have discovered it.

normal police investigation Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court rule in Lemon v. Kurtzman?

The Lemon test was established. Signup and view all the answers

What was the key conclusion in United States v. Lopez?

Congress does not have the authority to regulate the carrying of firearms in school zones. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)

Supreme Court ruled against teaching creationism in public schools, declaring it unconstitutional.
The ruling deemed it an infringement of the First Amendment as it promotes a specific religion.
Louisiana could not mandate schools teaching evolution to also include creationism.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Overturned Connecticut law prohibiting contraceptive use.
The Court affirmed a right to privacy under the 14th Amendment, allowing married couples to make personal decisions regarding birth control.
Griswold was associated with Planned Parenthood, highlighting the case's significance in reproductive rights.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Court ruled that mandatory school-sponsored prayer is unconstitutional.
Students who opted out of the prayer were allowed to leave or remain silent, but mandatory participation violated the Establishment Clause.
The decision emphasized the separation of church and state in public education.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Involved students suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.
Court determined the act of wearing armbands constituted symbolic speech protected under the First Amendment.
There was no intent to disrupt educational activities, reinforcing student rights to express political views.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

Case centered on the Pentagon Papers, revealing controversial Vietnam War strategies.
The Supreme Court lifted an injunction against the New York Times, affirming freedom of the press under the First Amendment.
The ruling underscored that national security concerns do not justify prior restraint on publication.

Miller v. Texas (1894)

Discussed the validity of a Texas statute on bearing pistols concerning the Second, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
The Court had not previously ruled on the Second Amendment's application to states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Miller's arguments were rejected as he raised them post-conviction affirmation.

Powell v. Alabama (1932)

Established that defendants in capital cases must have access to legal counsel upon request.
The case involved the Scottsboro Boys, who were denied adequate legal representation during their trial.
Highlighted the importance of due process and the obligation of the state to provide counsel for indigent defendants.

Nix v. Williams (1984)

Addressed the admissibility of evidence obtained without legal counsel during an investigation.
Evidence relating to the murder of a ten-year-old girl was admitted despite constitutional rights violations.
Emphasized that if evidence would have been discovered through lawful police investigation, it remains admissible.

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)

The Court ruled against Pennsylvania's funding for religious-based educational programs.
Associated with the Lemon Test, which outlines requirements for laws to avoid violating the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.
Legislation that funds religious activities in public education contravenes constitutional principles.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Lopez was charged under the Gun-Free School Zones Act for carrying a firearm on school grounds.
Supreme Court affirmed that Congress's powers under the Commerce Clause do not extend to regulating firearm possession in schools.
The decision marked a limitation on federal authority regarding state matters, emphasizing the boundaries of interstate commerce regulation.

Description

Test your knowledge on key Supreme Court rulings that shaped the landscape of American constitutional law. This quiz covers important cases like Edwards v. Aguillard, Griswold v. Connecticut, and Engel v. Vitale, exploring their implications on education, privacy, and the separation of church and state.