Supreme Court Cases

• The law as established by the outcome of former cases. This term means the same thing as Common Law.

The authority to interpret and administer the law. For example, federal courts deal with federal law not state law.

The authority of a court to hear and decide a case for the first time.

A court has the power to review decisions made by lower courts.

This was the first Court case to apply the principle of "judicial review."

Upheld the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine of "separate but equal."

• The Court said that segregated schools were unequal and violated the Fourteenth Amendment.

Ruled that courts are required to provide counsel in criminal cases to represent defendants who are unable to afford their own attorneys.

A person has to be informed of his or her rights before being arrested and questioned by the police.

Held that juveniles accused of crimes must be afforded many of the same due process rights as adults.

• Defined the first amendment rights of students in U.S. public schools.

Public schools do not have to allow student speech if it is inconsistent with the schools' educational mission.

Showed that the president is accountable for obeying the law.

Resolved the dispute surrounding the 2000 presidential election by ordering a stop to a vote recount. This allowed George W. Bush to be named the President of the United States.

The first Supreme Court case to decide that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.