Mapp v. Ohio

(Pictured above: Dollree Mapp mug shot from her original conviction before appeal)

            “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” The above quote was taken from the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.  In total, this amendment gives people the right to be protected from unreasonable and unprotected searches without warrant.  In the case of Mapp v. Ohio, this amendment was brought to question.  Dollree Mapp was accused and convicted for holding illegal materials that were obtained from an unwarranted police search.  The materials had to do with her being involved in the housing of a bomber that was hiding from the police. After being convicted, Mapp appealed this case on the premise that her fourth amendment rights were violated.  She ended up winning the appeal in a 5-3 vote that stated the evidence presented could not be used do to the fact that it was seized unlawfully and without warrant.  Her civil rights were violated in the case because her fourth amendment rights were broke.  This case stands as a precedent for future cases because the ruling stands that evidence obtained fro searches without warrant can not be used in a court of law.  

   

"Mapp v. Ohio Podcast." United States Courts. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016. <http://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/supreme-court-landmarks/mapp-v-ohio-podcast>.     

Gideon v. Wainwright

(Pictured above: Gideon’s petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in regards to his Sixth Amendment Rights)

            Clarence Earl Gideon helped set a precedent in court cases with regards to the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  Gideon was arrested for entering and breaking to commit a misdemeanor crime in Florida.  When tried in court, Gideon appeared to be without an attorney.  But, when Gideon asked the judge to appoint him counsel, the judge refused stating that Florida law only permitted people to be appointed counsel if they were poor and committing a capital crime.  Gideon decided that it would be right for him then, in this case, to defend himself and represent himself to the judge and jury.  Despite Gideon’s heroics in making statements and cross-examinations, the jury found Gideon Guilty.  Gideon did not believe that he was treated fairly in the decision because he was not appointed a counsel.  He filed a handwritten petition to the Supreme Court in regards to the question on whether or not the right to counsel was given by the Sixth Amendment.  Gideon’s civil rights were protected in the case.  The Supreme Court stated that the Sixth Amendment did in fact guarantee the right to counsel.  The Supreme Court overruled the past precedent case, Betts v. Brady, and set this as the ongoing precedent.  Clarence Earl Gideon’s actions have led to the fair treatment of many American citizens.  

"Facts and Case Summary - Gideon v. Wainwright." United States Courts. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016. <http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-gideon-v-wainwright>.   

14th Amendment

(Picture above: A political cartoon illustrating a situation where equals protection and justice of law is not taking place.  Images such as these help shine a light to American society showing that sometimes our minds slip away from our Country’s laws.)

The 14^th Amendment to the United States Constitution grants the people of America “equal protection of the laws.”  This Amendment helped correct the problem in the Emancipation Proclamation that led former slaves who were denied citizenship legal status.  This legal status was originally denied in the Supreme Court case of Dred Scott v. Sandford, in 1857.  The equal protection of laws guaranteed by the 14^th Amendment was very important for the development of civil rights because it helped make the Three-Fifths Compromise obsolete, it granted citizenship to about four million former slaves, and it also denied the holding of political office to leaders who supported secession. In modern times, equal protection of laws has helped women obtain the right to vote and it has helped minorities gain the right to vote.  Unfortunately the federal government only began to recognize the amendment during the Reconstruction period of the U.S.  This amendment has been cited in more litigation than any other amendment.  This means that it has been used in legal action and in court cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Rose v. Wade.   In, total, the United states would be a completely different society without the implementation of the 14^th Amendment. 

       

"14th Amendment." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2016. <https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv>.

19th Amendment

(Pictured above: The fight for women’s suffrage is pictured above through protests being held in front of the White House in Washington, D.C.)

            The 19^th Amendment to the United States Constitution guaranteed the women of America something that they had been fighting for and pushing to get for over 100 years, the right to vote.  For a long time, women were unable to vote because the right of citizens to vote was on account of sex.  This took place in not only federal elections but in state election as well.  This amendment, ratified in 1920, gave Congress the power to enforce this law by appropriate legislation.  Not only did women in America have this problem, but women all over the world did as well.  Women’s suffrage, female’s right to vote, was gained in Finland, Iceland,, Sweden, and in Australian colonies within the late 19^th century.  Protests and interest groups today still fight to improve wages for women all around the untied states.  Women’s rights advocacy groups may even be at a larger number today if it weren’t for the 19^th amendment.  Fighting for women’s suffrage began even before the Civil War as votes for white men were the only one’s that counted.  The 19^th amendment helped spur a fight for women’s rights that continues to go on today.  It is believed that there will be no end in this fight until equality is reached for women all around the world.  The 19^th amendment was just the start for women’s civil rights.     

History.com Staff. "The Fight for Women’s Suffrage." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 18 Nov. 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/the-fight-for-womens-suffrage>.