Roe v. Wade 1973
People or things involved: Hallford, Roe, DA Wade, Texas abortion laws, 14th amendment.
What was the case about: Roe, a pregnant woman had filed a class action suit against the Texas abortion laws saying that abortions are only allowed if it advised so that the mother could live. If the abortion was attempted otherwise, it would be considered a crime.
Constitutional issue: It violated the due process clause of the 14th amendment. It states that people have the right to privacy.
Decision: The Texas Abortion laws were ruled unconstitutional and the US made abortion legal.
What was the case about: Roe, a pregnant woman had filed a class action suit against the Texas abortion laws saying that abortions are only allowed if it advised so that the mother could live. If the abortion was attempted otherwise, it would be considered a crime.
Constitutional issue: It violated the due process clause of the 14th amendment. It states that people have the right to privacy.
Decision: The Texas Abortion laws were ruled unconstitutional and the US made abortion legal.
NYT v. US 1971
People or things involved: 1st amendment, New York Times, “Pentagon Papers”
What was the case about: New York Times newspaper wanted the right to publish the “Pentagon Papers” which were an internal Defense Department report for the Vietnam War. They were illegally copied and leaked to the media. Only the New York Times and the Washington Post received these documents. The US district court in New York issued a court order saying that the NYT can’t print the documents because it could endanger the United States.
Constitutional issue: It violated the 1st amendment of freedom of the press but it could have endangered America.
Decision: Ruled in favor of the New York Times because it violated the first amendment and that the first amendment was absolute.
What was the case about: New York Times newspaper wanted the right to publish the “Pentagon Papers” which were an internal Defense Department report for the Vietnam War. They were illegally copied and leaked to the media. Only the New York Times and the Washington Post received these documents. The US district court in New York issued a court order saying that the NYT can’t print the documents because it could endanger the United States.
Constitutional issue: It violated the 1st amendment of freedom of the press but it could have endangered America.
Decision: Ruled in favor of the New York Times because it violated the first amendment and that the first amendment was absolute.
US v. Nixon 1974
People or things involved: President Nixon, Senate, reelection committee, Watergate Scandal.
What was the case about: 5 men were arrested for attempting to steal documents from the government. Howard Hunt Jr. and Gordon Liddy, who were both connected to the reelection of Nixon were among those who were arrested. An investigation began and they found out that most of Nixon’s administration was involved with the cover up and several other crimes. They also found out that Nixon had installed a camera that would record every conversation that he and administration had but he refused to release the tape.
Constitutional issue: Does the president have the power to withhold information from the other branches because of the separation of powers in the Constitution.
Decision: Nixon had to release the tape. His executive powers were not absolute and withholding information from the other braches was unconstitutional.
What was the case about: 5 men were arrested for attempting to steal documents from the government. Howard Hunt Jr. and Gordon Liddy, who were both connected to the reelection of Nixon were among those who were arrested. An investigation began and they found out that most of Nixon’s administration was involved with the cover up and several other crimes. They also found out that Nixon had installed a camera that would record every conversation that he and administration had but he refused to release the tape.
Constitutional issue: Does the president have the power to withhold information from the other branches because of the separation of powers in the Constitution.
Decision: Nixon had to release the tape. His executive powers were not absolute and withholding information from the other braches was unconstitutional.
Board of Regents v. Bakke 1976
People or things involved: Allan Bakke, University of California, Davis Medical School, 14th amendment.
What was the case about: Allan Bakke, who was a white engineer, wanted to be a medical doctor. He attempted to apply to the University of California at Davis Medical School. Even though Bakke seemed to be more qualified then several students, he was denied twice. He sued the school saying he wasn’t allowed in solely on his race.
Constitutional issue: It violated his 14th amendment because he was denied to a school based on his race.
Decision: At first they ruled that the special admissions procedure was unconstitutional because it violated the 14th amendment but they didn’t force the school to admit Bakke into their school. Later, the school was forced to admit him.
What was the case about: Allan Bakke, who was a white engineer, wanted to be a medical doctor. He attempted to apply to the University of California at Davis Medical School. Even though Bakke seemed to be more qualified then several students, he was denied twice. He sued the school saying he wasn’t allowed in solely on his race.
Constitutional issue: It violated his 14th amendment because he was denied to a school based on his race.
Decision: At first they ruled that the special admissions procedure was unconstitutional because it violated the 14th amendment but they didn’t force the school to admit Bakke into their school. Later, the school was forced to admit him.