-
Van Staphorst v. Maryland (John Jay)
This was the first case docketed with the Supreme Court. It ended up being solved before the actual oral arguments. The Van Staphorst brothers payed Maryland a loan for the Revolutionary war in which Maryland refused to pay back. After being threatened to go to court, it was settled. This was important because it was the first Supreme Court Case. The Chief Justice was John Jay. (He held this position from 1789 until 1795.) -
Period: to
John Jay- First Era Summary
The first three years of John Jay's "Era" were also the first three years of the Supreme Court so this time was basically just starting up- perfecting procedures and rules basically. He was only in office for six years. -
Period: to
John Marshall's Era- Summary
His opinion contributed to creating the framework for constitutional law. He also contributed to the Supreme Court being a coequal branch with the executive and legislative branches. He focused on cases about judicial power and later on he focused on the powers of the Constitution. He increased the rights of the court and the people. -
Marbury Vs. Madison (John Marshall)
February 24, 1803- One of the most influential decisions in the Supreme Court was made. This case resulted in the decision that a court "may declare an act of Congress void if it is inconsistent with the Constitution." So basically, it gave some power to the court. Adams nominated Justices during his last few moments of presidency and the commissions were prepared and all set, but not all of them were delivered. They had the right to their commissions, but the court could not grant them. -
Period: to
William H. Taft- Era Summary
As Chief Justice, the former President of the United States, focused on the administration of justice. Due to his efforts, the Conference of Senior Circuit was created by Congress to oversee court administration. He increased order in the court and for people themselves even though this was not exactly his focus. -
Pierce Vs. Society of Sisters
Basically, the Compulsory Education act of 1922 said that children between the ages 8 and 16 must attend public school. The Society of Sisters argued that it was unconstitutional to take away a parent's right to choose the direction of their child's education. They won the case. -
Period: to
Earl Warren- Era Summary
He focused on personal rights and, of course, increased/expanded personal rights. He increased civil rights & liberties, judicial power, and federal power. This court ended racial segregation which was hugely important to modern day. Thanks to this court, we have integration and equality. -
Brown Vs. Board of Education
In Topeka, Kansas, Linda Brown and her sibling had to go through great lengths just to get to school each day. Their parents decided to sue the school system because being separate and equal just wasn't possible. White people were still at the advantage. Federal District Court said that it was technically legal because they were separate and "equal." Then, it was taken to the Supreme Court and ruled unconstitutional. This is very important to us, even today. -
Period: to
Rehnquist Court- Era Summary
Rehnquist focused on discrimination and rights. He was very conservative. Rehnquist increased rights by limiting discrimination. His ending opinions always reflected in Constitutional Core Values of equality. -
Schmuck v. United States
This case was about criminal law and procedure. Schmuck was on trial for rolling back car odometers and inflating the prices of the cars he was selling. He ended up being proven to have been committing a crime by majority vote which is important to us now because there are laws in place preventing crimes (frauds and scams) like this.