Civil Rights Unit 8
Dec 26, 2015
Civil RightsUnit 8
Civil Rights…defined
• Rights granted by the government to protect individuals from arbitrary or discriminatory treatment
• Examples:• Bear arms• Due Process
• Amendments 4, 5, 6, 8
4th amendment
• 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.
• “One evening a student left a campus party, carrying a bottle of gin. A university officer spotted the student outside a dorm, arrested him for possessing liquor, and asked to see his identification. The student asked the officer to wait while he retrieved his wallet from his dorm room. The officer, however, insisted on accompanying the student to his dorm room, where he leaned against the door jamb and the student went in. From the doorway, the officer thought he saw some marijuana and paraphernalia typically associated with drug use. Without the student’s consent, and without a warrant, the officer entered the room seized the material, and arrested the student for drug possession.”• Epstein and Epstein. Constitutional Law for a Changing America.
Reasonable Searches and Seizures
1. Searches based on a warrant2. Searches incident to an arrest3. Searches to insure that evidence is
not lost.4. Searches based on consent.5. Searches to ensure the safety of the
law official.6. Searches in places that merit low
levels of constitutional protection.
During a routine traffic stop a Wyoming Highway Patrol officer noticed a hypodermic needle in the driver’s shirt pocket. The driver admitted using the needle to take illegal drugs. The officer then searched the passenger compartment for contraband, removing and searching the purse of a passenger. The officer found drugs in her purse and arrested her, too. The passenger asked the trial court to suppress all evidence found in her purse, arguing that it was illegal to search the purse of a passenger for whom the police had no independent probable cause.
• Law enforcement officers may lawfully search the belongings of all passengers in a car where there is probable cause to believe there is evidence of criminal activity
• Wyoming v. Houghton, 526 U.S. 295 (1999).• In Wyoming v. Houghton, the Supreme Court held
that when an officer has probable cause to search a car, this inspection also includes the belongings of passengers in the car because they may contain the suspected items the officer has reason to believe are in the car. Without any distinction carved out as to ownership, the Court in Ross concluded that “when there is probable cause to search for contraband in a car, it is reasonable for police officers…to examine packages and containers without a showing of individualized probable cause for each one.” The Court also stated that there is a reduced expectation of privacy with passengers and their belongings when they transport them in the public.
Searches with a warrant
Illinois v Gates (1983)• Question: Can a warrant be issued on an
anonymous tip?• Precedence: Aguilar-Spinelli test required a
reliable source for a warrant• Ruling: Search was legal• ”Totality of the circumstances” test…
• A warrant can be issued if there is a:• Nontechnical, but factual and practical
consideration of everyday life
Requirements for a warrant
Generally include:
• A probable cause• A defined location to be searched• A timely and orderly execution of the
warrant• Guarantee that only specified evidence
will be taken• Unless contraband is found
Warrantless searches
Chimel v. California (1969)• Question: Was the warrantless search
legal? • Ruling: Search was illegal
• The house was not under immediate control of the suspect
Warrantless searches
Cupp v. Murphy (1973)• Question: Was the warrantless seizure
legal? • Ruling: Search was legal
• Evidence could be lost
Warrantless searches
Terry v. Ohio (1968)• Question: Was the warrantless search & frisk
legal? • Ruling: Search was legal
• Safety of the officer
U.S. v. Ross (1982)• Question: Was the warrantless search of the
car legal? • Ruling: Search was legal
• Contraband in plain view gives probable cause
Plain View Doctrine
Requirements:1.Officer must be legally allowed to be present2.No technological advancements may be used3.Discovery must be by chance• Defined by:
• Arizona v. Hicks (1987)• Horton v. California (1990)
Requirements for a warrantless search
1. S & S can be done immediately2. S & S can be done only on an area
under immediate control of the suspect3. S & S must relate to:
• Incident to an arrest• Preserve evidence• Safety of an officer• Plain view doctrine
Student searches
New Jersey v. TLO (1985)• HISTORY:
• TLO caught smoking in the bathroom• Purse searched by administrator• Discovered drug paraphernalia
• Ruling: S & S was legal• School needs “reasonable suspicion” to search• Scope of search must be “reasonable” based
on situation• Need to maintain discipline
Student searches
Vernonia School v. Acton (1995)• History: Drug testing student-athletes• Ruling: S & S was legal
• Athletes: Right to Privacy reduced• Agreed to regulations of team
• Minimal invasion of privacy• Important need for search• Deter drug use• Safety of athletes
5th amendment
• No person shall…be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy…no shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process…nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
5th amendment
• Issues:• Double Jeopardy• Self-incrimination• Exclusionary rule• Eminent domain
Self-incrimination
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)• History:
• Police obtained from Miranda a signed confession of rape• Miranda was not made aware of his 5th amendment rights
• Question: • Did the interrogation without notification of rights violate the
5th?
• Ruling: Yes…• A person must be informed of their rights prior to any
interrogation
Double Jeopardy
US v. Halper (1989)• “This Court protects against three
distinct abuses: • a second prosecution for the same offense
after acquittal; • a second prosecution for the same offense
after conviction; • and multiple punishments for the same
offense.”
Exclusionary Rule
Evidence obtained from an illegal search is inadmissible in court.
Defined by:• Weeks v. US (1914)• Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
6th amendment
• In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury…and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation…and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense
6th amendment
• Issues:• Speedy & public trial• Right to a jury• Awareness of rights• Right to counsel
Right to counsel
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)• History:
• Gideon was charged with stealing• He requested (and was denied) a lawyer be provided
• Question: • Did the denial of counsel violate Gideon’s 6th amendment
rights?
• Ruling: Yes…• "lawyers in criminal courts are necessities, not
luxuries.“ (Justice Black)
Civil Rights Movement Desegregation of schools
Brown v. Board of Ed (1954)• Court mandates that schools desegregate
• Racial segregation in public education has a detrimental effect on minority children because it is interpreted as a sign of inferiority. (www.oyez.org)
Brown v. Board of Ed II (1955)• Chief Justice Warren urged localities to
act…"with all deliberate speed." (www.oyez.org)
• Impact…”Little Rock Nine” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSdLPNQSa4k
Civil Rights Movement 24th Amendment &
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Called for by Kennedy; supported by King
Actions:• Outlawed discrimination in voting & employment• Outlawed segregation of public facilities involved in
interstate commerce• Authorizes Justice Depart to enforce laws• Withholds fed funds from discriminatory state
programs
Civil Rights Movement Implementation
Swann v. Mecklenburg Bd. Of Ed (1971)History• 14,000 black students attended schools that were either totally
black or more than 99 percent black. Question• Were federal courts constitutionally authorized to oversee and
produce remedies for state-imposed segregation?Ruling:• The use of mathematical ratios or quotas were
legitimate "starting points“• No rigid guidelines could be established concerning
busing of students• (www.oyez.org)
• Outlaws de jure and de facto discrimination
Civil Rights MovementAffirmative Action
Univ of Cal. v. Bakke (1978)• History:
• U of Cal reserved 16 spots for black students• Bakke was rejected from admission to med school even
though he had higher scores than the blacks admitted
• Question: • Did the universities admission policies violate the 14th
amendment and the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
• Ruling:• Strict quota systems are unconstitutional• Race can play a factor in admission
Women’s MovementThe Early Years
Background…• (1848) Seneca Falls Convention calls for:
• Abolition of slavery• Temperance• Education for women• Equal rights of citizenship
• (1890) Women’s suffrage movement begins during Progressive era• Results in the 19th amendment (1920)
Women’s Movement1960s & 1970s
Focus is on…Equality in the workplace; politics; judicial system
Major events:• Kennedy’s Commission on the status of Women (1961)• Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963)• Civil Rights Act (1964)
• Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) • Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) (1972)• Title IX (1972)
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)
History:• State regulations prevented contraception advice and
distribution to married people
Ruling:• 1, 3, 4, & 9th amendments create right to
privacy therefore the regulations are unconstitutional
Why the ERA Failed
“Equality of rights…shall not be denied…on account of sex.” (ERA, 1972)
1. Southern Resistance• Conservative values
2. Tactics of Demonstrators• Radical and Offensive
3. Conservative Female Opposition• Challenge Traditional Role
4. Women in the Draft
Kathrine Switzer 1967 Boston Marathon
“The reason other women weren't there is that they hadn't had the same opportunities that I'd had.”
Title IX
No person in the United States, shall on the basis of sex, be
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or
be subjected to discrimination under any educational
program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE IX
Prong 1: Substantial Proportionality: Athletic participation opportunities for men and women must be substantially proportionate to their undergraduate enrollments.
Prong 2: History and Continuing Practice: Institutions must show a history and continuing practice of program expansion that is responsive to the interests of the underrepresented gender, usually female athletes.
Prong 3: Accommodating Interests and Abilities: Institutions must meet the interests and abilities of its female students even where there are disproportionately fewer female students than male students participating in sports.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
History:• Norma McCorvey (Roe) sought an abortion in Texas
Question:• Does the Constitution protect the right to have an abortion?
Ruling:…Trimester test (7-2)• 1-3 Months: States cannot regulate• 4-6 months: States can regulate in the
interest of the health of the mother• 7-9 months: States can regulate to protect
the potentiality of human life
Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)
History:• PA restrictions (parental consent & notification of the
father)
Question:• Are the restrictions permitted under Roe?
Ruling: “Undue Burden” Test (5-4)• Regulations will not be allowed if they pose an
“undue burden” a on women’s right to privacy.• "substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking
an abortion before the fetus attains viability.”
Stenberg v. Carhart (2000)
History:• Nebraska banned partial birth abortions
Question:• Does the ban violate 14th amendment rights?
Ruling: Yes (5-4) 1. Law is too vague.2. Law bars a procedure deemed as safe by a
“significant body of medical opinion.”3. Law does not recognize that the procedure
can be used in an emergency to protect the health of the mother.
Gonzales v. Carhart (2007)
History:• Congress banned partial birth abortions in 2003
Question:• Does the ban violate 14th amendment rights?
Ruling: NO (5-4)• No “undue burden” on women.• Has an exception for the health of the mother.• The new act is not vague.
The Supreme Court in 2000 &2007
StevensScalia Kennedy Souter Ginsberg BreyerThomas
Rehnquist
Roberts
O’Connor
Alito
Bush Appointees
Died 2005 Retired 2006