5 Landmark Cases Every US Law Student Should Know
Understanding American constitutional law begins with a deep dive into a handful of historic Supreme Court decisions that shaped the legal and political landscape of the United States. Here are five landmark cases that every US law student—whether 1L or preparing for the bar—should be intimately familiar with:
1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Key Principle: Judicial Review
Citation: 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803)
Summary:
This case established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to invalidate laws and executive actions that conflict with the Constitution. Chief Justice John Marshall declared that “It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.”
Why it matters:
Marbury v. Madison forms the cornerstone of constitutional law and affirms the judiciary’s role as a co-equal branch of government. It’s the foundation upon which modern constitutional interpretation is built.
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2. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Key Principle: Desegregation & Equal Protection
Citation: 347 U.S. 483 (1954)
Summary:
The Court unanimously held that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The phrase “separate but equal” was ruled inherently unequal, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).
Why it matters:
Brown sparked the modern civil rights movement and remains a central example of how courts can drive social change. It’s a pivotal case on race, equality, and the power of constitutional litigation.
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3. Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Key Principle: Rights of the Accused
Citation: 384 U.S. 436 (1966)
Summary:
The Court ruled that individuals taken into police custody must be informed of their Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights—to remain silent and to have an attorney. This led to the now-famous “Miranda warning.”
Why it matters:
Miranda established crucial safeguards against coerced confessions and emphasized the importance of procedural due process in criminal law.
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4. Roe v. Wade (1973) (Note: Overturned in 2022 by Dobbs v. Jackson)
Key Principle: Right to Privacy and Abortion
Citation: 410 U.S. 113 (1973)
Summary:
The Court held that a woman’s decision to have an abortion fell within the right to privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. It created a trimester framework to balance state and individual interests.
Why it matters:
For decades, Roe v. Wade was the legal backbone of reproductive rights in America. Though overturned, it’s still essential for understanding substantive due process and the evolution of privacy rights.
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5. United States v. Nixon (1974)
Key Principle: Limits on Executive Privilege
Citation: 418 U.S. 683 (1974)
Summary:
During the Watergate scandal, the Court ruled that President Nixon must turn over the tapes, rejecting his claim of absolute executive privilege.
Why it matters:
This case reaffirmed the principle that not even the president is above the law, strengthening the idea of checks and balances within the federal government.
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These five cases are more than just historical milestones—they represent the essential building blocks of American jurisprudence. Law students should not only memorize the holdings but also understand their constitutional underpinnings and societal impacts.
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