U.S.

Government Name(s): Jack Gill Period: 6

Supreme Court Case Study

Directions: Choose a Supreme Court Case (see list on Google Classroom or search “Landmark
Supreme Court Cases” to find one), research it, and answer the questions below in your own words and in
complete sentences.

Recommended Research Sites: www.oyez.org. www.law.cornell.edu, www.landmarkcases.org, www.

supremecourt.gov

CASE: Snyder v. Phelps

Background:
1. What events took place that led to the initial court case?
- A U.S. soldier died and at his funeral were protestors from the Westboro Baptist
Church, they caused emotonal distress to the family due to their signs with
offensive words.

2. What specific courts heard the case before it reached the Supreme Court?
- The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

3. What was the decision in each of those cases?

- The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland-- Agreed with the plaintiff and
awarded him 5 million dollars
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit-- Reversed that judgement and
held that Phelps speech was protected by the First Amendment.

Points of law:
4. What was the constitutional question the Supreme Court was answering in this case?
(Hint: the case may be based on more than one part of the Constitution. E.g. “This was a First and
Fourteenth Amendment case based on 1st Amendment freedom of speech and the 14th Amendment equal
protection clause.”)

- This was a First Amendment case based on 1st Amendment freedom of speech

Decision and reasoning of the Court (the majority opinion):

5. State the vote: 8/1 (E.g. 6/3, 9/0, etc.)

6. What was the reasoning behind the decision? (i.e. What did the Justices write and
why?)

- The eight that voted in favor considered what and how and where the Westboro
protested with their signs, was entitled to special protection under the First
Amendment and that even though the signs were outrageous, they’re still
protected under the First Amendment.

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Dissenting opinion:

7. Summary of Justice’s arguments not siding with the majority. (Note: If the decision was
unanimous and there was no Dissenting Opinion, provide a more thorough summary of the majority
opinion and/or the results)

- The one judge that voted against it filed a lone dissent, in which he argued "Our
profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the
vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case."

Results and Subsequent Cases: (Impact the case has had on our society and/or the law)
8. What has changed as a result of this decision?

- Nothing really has changed except people now have to except that they might not
like what someone says but they have to understand it’s their right.

9. Has the Supreme Court reversed itself in later rulings?

- No

10. What other related cases followed this case?

- There haven't been any related cases following since the case was only 9 years
ago.

Your Opinion:
11. Do you agree or disagree with the majority opinion? Why? (Paragraph Response – 4-6
sentences)

- Yes I agree with the majority opinion. If you start limiting who says things, it’s
similar to censorship. Just like there’s freedom of speech with good things people
say it also has to include bad things. The First Amendment is there to protect
everybody and you can’t select certain people even if you disagree with them.

analysis:
12. Define Judicial Review. How is this case an example of Judicial Review?

- Judicial Review refers to the power of a court to review a statute, treaty or

administrative regulation for constitutionality or consistency with a superior law.
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 - This case is an example of Judicial Review because it went all the way to the
Supreme Court.

Informal Works cited: List the Websites/Sources used (does NOT need to be MLA) -

https://www.oyez.org/cases/2010/09-751

https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-
summary-snyder-v-phelps

https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/09-751.ZS.html