Supreme Court Cases of the 1990s

1. Supreme Court Cases of the 1990s Presentation brought to you by: Geoffrey Hecht, Pamela Zambuto, Ashley Glitzer, David Gharet, and Emma Brunner.

2. Cruzan v. MO Dpt of Health What Constitutional issue involved that allowed it to be appealed to the Supreme Court? What was the case about? Who was involved in the case? A woman was in a coma from a car accident in 1983. Her family, facing medical bills deciding that her life had ended in 1987 directed the health care providers to end intravenous feeding. The state of Missouri opposed. Cruzan, director, and the Supreme Court. Civil liberties: due process. What year did the case take place? 1990 How did the Supreme Court rule? Under due process clause, a competent person has the right to refuse life-sustaining treatment.

3. Planned Parenthood v. Casey What was the Constitutional issue involved that allowed it to be appealed to the Supreme Court? What was the case about? Pennsylvania legislature amended its abortion law. The law required informed consent and a 24 hour waiting period prior to the procedure. A married woman seeking an abortion had to indicate that she notified her husband. Who was involved in the case? Casey, Planned Parenthood, Supreme Court What year did the case take place? Civil liberties: Rights of Women. 1992 How did the Supreme Court rule? 5 to 4 decision, reaffirmed Roe v. Wade. Also, with a new standard of whether a state abortion regulation has the purpose of effect of imposing an “undue burden” a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion before the fetus attains viability.

4. Veronia v. Acton What was the Constitutional issue involved that allowed it to be appealed to the Supreme Court? What was the case about? Who was involved in the case? Cited schools needing to maintain student safety and fulfill its educational mission. Veronia, Acton, and the Supreme Court. Civil liberties. 4th Amendment. Student Rights v. Safe School Environment. What year did the case take place? 1995 How did the Supreme Court rule? That a school’s practice of testing athletes randomly for drug use did not violate their rights under the 4th and 14th amendments.