ENGLE V. VITALE:
When: 1962
Who/What was involved: Establishment Clause of the First Amendement
What was is about?: Families of students of a public school in New Hyde Park, New York said that the prayer "Almighty God" contradicted therir religious beliefs after the students recited it in school.
Constitutional Issue: Is reciting a prayer in public schools a violation of the first amendemnt?
Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer in public schools.
MIRANDA V. ARIZONA:
When: 1966
Who/What was involved: Ernesto Miranda, Fifth Amendment
What was is about?: Miranda was arrested for kidnapping and rape, he agreed to his charges but said he was never read his rights.
Constitutional Issue: Does law enforcement have to inform an accused person their constitutional rights stated in the Fifth Amendment?
Ruling: Supreme Court ruled that criminals have the right to have their rights read to them They also created the Miranda law, which tells your Miranda rights when Someone is being arrested
GIDEON V. WAINWRIGHT:
When: 1963
Who/What was involved: Clarence Earl Gideon, Sixth Amendment, State of Florida
What was is about?: Clarence Gideon was charged with breaking and entering into a Panama City, Florida pool hall and stealing money. he could not afford his own attorney at the trial and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Constitutional Issue: Gideon claimed that it was unconstitutional to be convicted without a defense attorney at trail.
Ruling: The constitution requires the states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendents charged with serious offenses who cannot afford lawyers themselves.
TINKER V. DES MOINES:
When: 1969
Who/What was involved: Des Moines school district, First Amendment, John Tinker, Mary Beth Tinker, Christopher Eckhardt, ACLU.
What was is about?: 1965 Vietnam Protestors decided to wear black armbands to show their discontent with the war. Mary Beth and John Tinker wore these armbands to school knowing they could get suspended. The kids were suspended and they sued the school district.
Constitutional Issue: Do kids have the right to wear bands to protest something while within the school.
Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that they had the right to free speech within schools as long as it didnt disrupt the learning process.
