Powell v. Alabama (1932)
Chief Justice: Anderson
Decision:The Court held that the trials denied due process because the defendants were not given reasonable time and opportunity to secure counsel in their defense.
Summary:Nine black youths were accused of raping two white women. Alabama officials sprinted through the legal proceedings: a total of three trials took one day and all nine were sentence to death.
Importance:Alabama law required the appointment of counsel in capital cases, but the attorneys did not consult with their clients and had done little more than appear to represent them at the trial.
Chief Justice: Anderson
Decision:The Court held that the trials denied due process because the defendants were not given reasonable time and opportunity to secure counsel in their defense.
Summary:Nine black youths were accused of raping two white women. Alabama officials sprinted through the legal proceedings: a total of three trials took one day and all nine were sentence to death.
Importance:Alabama law required the appointment of counsel in capital cases, but the attorneys did not consult with their clients and had done little more than appear to represent them at the trial.
United States v Eichman(1990)
Chief Justice: Brennan
Decision:5 votes for Eichman, 4 votes against
Summary:In 1989, Congress passed the Flag Protection Act which made it a crime to destroy an American flag or any likeness of an American flag which may be "commonly displayed." Eichman set a flag ablaze on the steps of the U.S. Capitol while protesting the government's domestic and foreign policy.Another prosecution resulted from a flag-burning in Seattle protesting the passage of the Flag Protection Act.Both cases were argued together.
Importance:the Court struck down the law because "its asserted interest is related to the suppression of free expression and concerned with the content of such expression." Allowing the flag to be burned in a disposal ceremony but prohibiting protestors from setting it ablaze at a political protest made that clear, argued Justice Brennan in one of his final opinions.
Chief Justice: Brennan
Decision:5 votes for Eichman, 4 votes against
Summary:In 1989, Congress passed the Flag Protection Act which made it a crime to destroy an American flag or any likeness of an American flag which may be "commonly displayed." Eichman set a flag ablaze on the steps of the U.S. Capitol while protesting the government's domestic and foreign policy.Another prosecution resulted from a flag-burning in Seattle protesting the passage of the Flag Protection Act.Both cases were argued together.
Importance:the Court struck down the law because "its asserted interest is related to the suppression of free expression and concerned with the content of such expression." Allowing the flag to be burned in a disposal ceremony but prohibiting protestors from setting it ablaze at a political protest made that clear, argued Justice Brennan in one of his final opinions.
Mapp v Ohio(1962)
Chief Justice: Earl Warren
Decision: votes for Mapp, 3 votes against
Summary: Dollree Mapp was convicted of possessing obscene materials after an admittedly illegal police search of her home for a fugitive. She appealed her conviction on the basis of freedom of expression.
Importance: placed the requirement of excluding illegally obtained evidence from court at all levels of the government. The decision launched the Court on a troubled course of determining how and when to apply the exclusionary rule.
Chief Justice: Earl Warren
Decision: votes for Mapp, 3 votes against
Summary: Dollree Mapp was convicted of possessing obscene materials after an admittedly illegal police search of her home for a fugitive. She appealed her conviction on the basis of freedom of expression.
Importance: placed the requirement of excluding illegally obtained evidence from court at all levels of the government. The decision launched the Court on a troubled course of determining how and when to apply the exclusionary rule.
Brown v Board of Education (1954)
Chief Justice: Earl Warren
Decision: 9 votes for Brown, 0 vote against
Summary: Black children were denied admission to public schools attended by white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to the races. The white and black schools approached equality in terms of buildings, curricula, qualifications, and teacher salaries.
Importance: It ruled that separate is not equal and over turned the court case Plessy v Ferguson.
Chief Justice: Earl Warren
Decision: 9 votes for Brown, 0 vote against
Summary: Black children were denied admission to public schools attended by white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to the races. The white and black schools approached equality in terms of buildings, curricula, qualifications, and teacher salaries.
Importance: It ruled that separate is not equal and over turned the court case Plessy v Ferguson.
Miranda v Arizona(1966)
Chief Justice: Earl Warren
Decision: 5 votes for Miranda, 4 votes against
Summary: Defendants were questioned "while in custody or otherwise deprived of [their] freedom in any significant way." petitioner was questioned by police, made oral admissions, and signed an inculpatory statement all without being notified of his right to counsel.
Importance: The Court specifically outlined the necessary aspects of police warnings to suspects, including warnings of the right to remain silent and the right to have counsel present during interrogations.
Chief Justice: Earl Warren
Decision: 5 votes for Miranda, 4 votes against
Summary: Defendants were questioned "while in custody or otherwise deprived of [their] freedom in any significant way." petitioner was questioned by police, made oral admissions, and signed an inculpatory statement all without being notified of his right to counsel.
Importance: The Court specifically outlined the necessary aspects of police warnings to suspects, including warnings of the right to remain silent and the right to have counsel present during interrogations.