Gavel To Gavel: Student Perspectives on Supreme Court Landmarks

In this episode, Federal Judge Jen Wilson introduces the season and explains the rights of the accused. Students learn why these rights are important and how they protect fairness in the justice system.

In this episode, we learn why police must tell people their rights before questioning them. This helps students understand their rights and how they are protected.

In this episode, we explore how the Court said people have the right to a lawyer during questioning. This helps students understand the importance of having help when facing serious situations.

In this episode, we learn that prosecutors must share important evidence with the defense. This helps students understand that fairness means everyone gets the full story.

 In this episode, we discover how the Court decided what counts as a “speedy trial.” This helps students understand why it’s important not to wait too long for justice.

In this episode, we learn how the Court said people cannot be excluded from juries because of race. This helps students understand fairness and why everyone deserves equal treatment.

In this episode, we learn how the Court stopped the death penalty for a time because it was not being used fairly. This helps students understand how laws can change when they are unfair.

In this episode, we explore how the Court looked at fairness in sentencing. This helps students think about why rules must be applied equally to everyone.

In this episode, we discover why the Court ruled that people under 18 cannot receive the death penalty. This helps students understand that the law recognizes that kids and adults are different.

In this episode, we learn how tracking someone with a device raised questions about privacy. This case helps students understand how technology and rules about personal space connect.

In this episode, we explore how the Court ruled that police usually need a warrant to search a cell phone. This helps students see how personal information—like messages and photos—is protected.

In this episode, we learn how the Supreme Court decided when police can search a car after an arrest. This case helps students understand that rules exist to protect people’s privacy, even when someone is in trouble.

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) ruled that students cannot be forced to salute the flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The Supreme Court held that compelled patriotic speech violates the First Amendment.

Engel v. Vitale (1962) ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause. The Supreme Court held that even voluntary, nondenominational prayer is unconstitutional in a government-funded setting.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) ruled that Amish families could not be forced to send their children to school past eighth grade. The Supreme Court held that compulsory education laws violated their First Amendment right to religious freedom.

Ingraham v. Wright (1977) upheld the use of corporal punishment in public schools, ruling it does not violate the Eighth Amendment. The Supreme Court found that school discipline is a local matter, leaving regulation to states and school districts.

Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982) ruled that schools cannot remove books from libraries simply because they dislike their content. The Supreme Court held that doing so violates students’ First Amendment rights.

Plyler v. Doe (1982) ruled that states cannot deny free public education to undocumented children. The Supreme Court held that such policies violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) ruled that schools can search students without a warrant if they have reasonable suspicion. The Supreme Court held that the Fourth Amendment applies in schools but with a lower standard than probable cause.

Bethel v. Fraser (1986) ruled that schools can discipline students for lewd or inappropriate speech. The Supreme Court held that the First Amendment does not protect vulgar speech in a school setting.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) ruled that schools can censor student newspapers if the content is inconsistent with educational goals. The Supreme Court held that school-sponsored publications are not fully protected under the First Amendment.

Vernonia v. Acton (1995) upheld random drug testing for student-athletes, ruling it did not violate the Fourth Amendment. The Supreme Court found that schools have a legitimate interest in preventing drug use and ensuring student safety.

Board of Education v. Earls (2002) upheld school drug testing for students in extracurricular activities. The Supreme Court ruled it did not violate the Fourth Amendment, expanding schools’ authority to conduct suspicionless drug tests.

Board of Education v. Earls (2002) upheld school drug testing for students in extracurricular activities. The Supreme Court ruled it did not violate the Fourth Amendment, expanding schools’ authority to conduct suspicionless drug tests.

Morse v. Frederick (2007) ruled that schools can restrict student speech promoting illegal drug use, even off-campus. The case set a precedent for limits on student free speech under the First Amendment.