Cases

McMaster v. United States

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the United States may defeat the purpose of a mining patent by claiming an ownership interest in the structures that are reasonable and incident to mining…

Baker v. Drozdoff

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to possess functional firearms in tents within state parks? Plaintiff: Al Baker Defendant: Allen Biaggi, Director of the…

McDonald v. City of Chicago

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is incorporated as against the States by the Fourteenth Amendment’s Privileges or Immunities or Due Process Clauses?…

Wildearth Guardians v. Salazar

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the listing or delisting of a species may be limited to only those portions of the species’ range in which the species requires protection? Plaintiff: WildEarth…

Defenders Of Wildlife v. Salazar

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may delist a species when previously established recovery standards have been met? Plaintiff: Defenders of Wildlife; Natural Resources Defense Council;…

Brandt v. United States of America

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the federal government may seize private property without paying just compensation? Plaintiff: Marvin M. Brandt; Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust Defendant: United States of America Case…

Horne v. Flores

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether principles of federalism limit a federal court’s authority to control a state’s educational funding system? Plaintiff: Thomas Horne, Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of…

Ricci v. Destefano

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause allows a government employer to reject the results of a civil service examination and election process, as required by the city…

Gonzalez v. Arizona

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether Arizona may require proof positive of U.S. citizenship in order to vote in Arizona elections? Plaintiff: Maria Gonzalez, Jesus Gonzalez, Bernie Abeytia, Luciano Valencia, Debbie Lopez,…

Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether Congress may create race-based preferences for Native Hawaiians by legislative fiat, proclaiming them a political group with which the United States has a special and unique…

Marston v. U.S. Forest Service

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the federal government may seize property and/or take governmental action that significantly damages property or impairs its use? Plaintiff: Arron Marston and Judy Marston Defendant: United…

Hapner v. Tidwell

Historical Case

Case Summary Issue: Whether the Forest Service should be allowed to conduct timber-thinning operations consistent with good forestry management practices to prevent future forest fires? Plaintiff: Sharon J. Hapner; Alliance…