How the Courts Address or Respect Our Rights as Citizens

choose a case from your state that involves civil rights or civil liberties that was decided by the United States Supreme Court. If your state does not have a case that was decided by the United States Supreme Court, choose a civil rights case from another state for which the United States Supreme Court issued a decision.

Here is a brief description of civil rights and civil liberties: Civil rights refers to equal social opportunities under the law. It gives you these freedoms such as the right to vote, the right to public education, or a fair trial, among other things, regardless of your wealth or race. Civil liberties mean freedom of religion, equal treatment and due process under the law, and the right to privacy.

You should be able to go online and look up your state and famous cases decided by the Supreme Court. For example, Brown v Board of Education (1951) started in Topeka, Kansas, and ended up in the Supreme Court of the United States. Another example would be Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley v Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada (2020) that started in Nevada and ended up the United States Supreme Court. A good source of information about cases decided by the United States Supreme Court is www.scotusblog.com. Other sources can be researched online using search terms for “civil rights cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.” Be sure to use a case actually decided by the United States Supreme Court, and not a case decided by your state’s supreme court or a different court. A case that is still pending before the United States Supreme Court should not be used.
Research your court case and write an outline of the case
Summary of the Case

In one or two paragraphs, provide a general overview of the case that serves as a snapshot of what the case is about and how it ended up in your state high court. A summary is using your words to write a brief history of the case. Do not give your opinion or your interpretation but stick to the facts only.

Case Outline

Your court case outline should include:

Title: Name of the case

Facts of the case: Provide key facts involving the case.

History of the case: What legal action was taken based on what your state laws say about this case?

Legal questions: What were the legal issues the court had to decide?

Decision or holdings: Did the court decide for the plaintiff or the defendant? Explain the reason behind the decision?

Verdict and opinion (judgement): What were the concurring and dissenting opinions? How many judges decided for the defendant and how many justices decided against the defendant? What was the final verdict from the judge or the jury, if it was a jury trial?

Conclusion:

What was the resulting impact of the ruling? How did the citizens of your state benefit from it? Was this a good decision?

Full Answer Section

   
  • The couples sought marriage licenses, but were denied due to the ban. They sued the state, arguing that the ban discriminated against them based on their sexual orientation and denied them the fundamental right to marry.

History of the Case:

  • The case originated in Ohio state courts, where the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the same-sex couples.
  • Ohio appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which granted certiorari in 2015.

Legal Questions:

  • Does the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause guarantee the right to same-sex marriage?
  • Does the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause prohibit states from denying same-sex couples the right to marry?

Decision or Holdings:

  • In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees the right to same-sex marriage.
  • The majority opinion, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, reasoned that the right to marry is a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause and that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violates the Equal Protection Clause.

Verdict and Opinion (Judgement):

  • Four justices (Kennedy, Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan) concurred with the majority opinion.
  • Four justices (Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, and Alito) dissented from the majority opinion.
  • The final verdict was 5-4 in favor of the same-sex couples.

Conclusion:

  • The Obergefell v. Hodges decision had a significant impact on LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. It legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, providing same-sex couples with the same rights and benefits as opposite-sex couples.
  • The decision was met with widespread praise from LGBTQ+ rights advocates and many Americans. However, it also faced criticism from some religious groups and individuals who oppose same-sex marriage.

Impact on Ohio:

  • The decision immediately legalized same-sex marriage in Ohio and other states that had previously banned it.
  • It provided same-sex couples in Ohio with the same legal protections and benefits as opposite-sex couples, including tax breaks, inheritance rights, and hospital visitation rights.
  • The decision has contributed to a more inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Ohio.

Overall Significance:

  • The Obergefell v. Hodges decision represents a landmark victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
  • It has had a significant impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families, providing them with the legal recognition and protections they deserve.
  • The decision also reflects the growing public support for LGBTQ+ equality in the United States.

Sample Answer

   

Case Outline: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Title: Obergefell v. Hodges (576 U.S. __) (2015)

Facts of the Case:

  • Same-sex marriage was banned in Ohio prior to the case, and four same-sex couples sued the state's Department of Health, claiming the ban violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process and equal protection under the law.