The Most Famous Court Cases, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the court cases you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 21, 2024 06:15

In the realm of law and justice, court cases play a pivotal role in shaping societal norms and legal precedents. By examining high-profile cases, individuals gain insights into the complexities of legal arguments and the impact of judicial decisions on everyday life. This understanding is crucial for a well-informed citizenry, emphasizing the relevance of each case in historical and modern contexts. Our system lets you cast votes on the cases you believe are the most influential, providing a dynamic and interactive way to gauge public opinion and perception. As votes accumulate, the rankings adjust, offering a real-time snapshot of which cases resonate most with people today. Engage with the history and outcomes of significant legal battles and see how your views compare with those of others around the world.

What Are the Most Famous Court Cases?

1

48
votes
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

United States Supreme Court

This landmark case led to the desegregation of schools in the United States.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. It overturned the previous ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) that established the 'separate but equal' doctrine. The case is commonly recognized as one of the most significant legal decisions of the 20th century, contributing to the Civil Rights Movement.

Year: 1954

Legal Issue: School segregation

Location: United States

Challenger: Oliver Brown et al.

Defendant: Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
2

37
votes
Roe v. Wade (1973)

This case established a woman's right to choose to have an abortion in the United States.
Roe v. Wade (1973) is a landmark Supreme Court case in the United States that established a woman's constitutional right to have access to safe and legal abortion. The case originated in Texas, where a pregnant woman named Norma McCorvey, referred to as Jane Roe to protect her identity, challenged the state's abortion laws which criminalized the procedure, except to save the life of the mother. The case reached the Supreme Court and had a significant impact on reproductive rights and legal precedent in the country.

Date: Argued: December 13, 1971 - Decided: January 22, 1973

Decision: 7-2 in favor of Roe

Majority Opinion: Written by Justice Harry Blackmun

Constitutional Issue: Right to privacy under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

Effect: Legalized abortion throughout the United States
3

22
votes
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

U.S. Supreme Court

This case established the requirement for police officers to inform suspects of their rights before questioning them.
Miranda v. Arizona (1966) is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle that criminal suspects must be informed of their constitutional rights before being interrogated by law enforcement. The case involved the conviction of Ernesto Miranda, who confessed to crimes during a police interrogation without being informed of his rights. This decision led to the creation of the Miranda warning, which outlines the rights to remain silent, have an attorney present, and the understanding that any statements made can be used against the suspect in court.

Case Number: 384 U.S. 436

Decision Date: June 13, 1966

Plaintiff: Ernesto Miranda

Defendant: State of Arizona

Issue: Whether the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination requires law enforcement to advise individuals of their rights before questioning.
4

27
votes

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

This case upheld segregation in public facilities under the "separate but equal" doctrine.
5

14
votes
Marbury v. Madison (1803)

United States Supreme Court

This case established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) was a landmark case decided by the United States Supreme Court that established the principle of judicial review. It is one of the most influential cases in American constitutional law.

Case name: Marbury v. Madison

Year: 1803

Court: United States Supreme Court

Principle established: Judicial review

Significance: Established the Supreme Court's power to interpret the Constitution and declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
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4
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

United States Supreme Court

This case established the right to counsel for all criminal defendants, regardless of their ability to pay.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) is a landmark case in United States Supreme Court history that established the constitutional right to appointed counsel for defendants who are unable to afford their own lawyers. The case involved Clarence Earl Gideon, who was convicted of a felony in a Florida state court and was denied a lawyer during his trial. Gideon, acting as his own attorney, appealed his case to the Supreme Court, arguing that the denial of counsel violated his right to a fair trial.

Case number: 372 U.S. 335

Decided on: March 18, 1963

Decision: Unanimous (9-0)

Chief Justice: Earl Warren

Plaintiff: Clarence Earl Gideon
7

4
votes
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

United States Supreme Court

This case established the right of students to express their political views in public schools.
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) is a landmark United States Supreme Court case that addressed the constitutional rights of public school students. The case revolved around a group of students who wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, which the school deemed disruptive to the learning environment. The students, represented by their parents, challenged the school's decision, arguing that it violated their rights to freedom of speech and expression.

Case name: Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

Year: 1969

Constitutional rights: Freedom of speech and expression

Issue: Whether students have the right to freedom of speech and expression in public schools

Ruling: In favor of the students
8

2
votes
Loving v. Virginia (1967)

This case struck down bans on interracial marriage in the United States.
Loving v. Virginia (1967) was a landmark civil rights case in the United States that challenged the constitutionality of laws banning interracial marriage. The case involved Mildred Loving, a Black woman, and Richard Loving, a White man, who were married and living in Virginia, where interracial marriage was illegal at the time. The couple had been arrested and convicted under Virginia's anti-miscegenation laws and faced imprisonment or exile from the state. The case reached the Supreme Court, which ultimately struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage, declaring them unconstitutional.

Year: 1967

Location: United States

Court: Supreme Court of the United States

Issue: Constitutionality of laws banning interracial marriage

Plaintiffs: Mildred Loving and Richard Loving
9

11
votes
United States v. Nixon (1974)

This case established the principle that the President of the United States is not above the law.
United States v. Nixon (1974) was a landmark court case in the United States that ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The case revolved around the issue of executive privilege and whether the President had the authority to withhold evidence and recordings related to the Watergate scandal.

Date: Decided on July 24, 1974

Parties Involved: United States (Plaintiff) vs. Richard Nixon (Defendant)

Issue: Executive privilege and the authority of the President to withhold evidence

Background: The case emerged from the Watergate scandal, involving the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and subsequent efforts to cover up the involvement of President Nixon and his administration.

Key Argument: President Nixon argued that he had the right to invoke executive privilege and withhold the White House tapes from the prosecutors.
10

6
votes
Bush v. Gore (2000)

This case determined the winner of the 2000 United States presidential election, and was controversial due to the Supreme Court's involvement in the outcome.
Bush v. Gore (2000) was a landmark Supreme Court case that determined the outcome of the 2000 presidential election in the United States. The case revolved around the dispute over the recounting of votes in the state of Florida, which ultimately decided the winner of the electoral votes necessary to secure the presidency.

Case Name: Bush v. Gore

Year: 2000

Location: United States

Issue: Dispute over recounting of votes in Florida

Outcome: Decided the outcome of the 2000 presidential election

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Discussion

Ranking factors for famous court cases

Historical significance

The impact of the court case on the legal system, society, and history should be considered. Cases that have led to significant changes in laws, regulations, or social attitudes should rank higher.
Legal precedent

The importance of the case in establishing or challenging legal principles or precedents should be considered. Cases that have had a profound effect on the interpretation of laws and the development of legal doctrines should be prioritized.
Public interest

The level of public engagement and discussion surrounding the case should be taken into account. Cases that have generated substantial media attention or public debate should rank higher.
Controversy

Controversial cases that either challenge societal norms or represent intense disagreement among different groups should be considered. These cases often have the potential to bring about significant changes in the legal system or society.
Notable participants

The presence of prominent figures, such as high-profile attorneys, judges, or parties involved in the case, may increase the case's fame and historical significance.
Long-term effects

Cases that have led to enduring changes in the legal system or society more generally should be prioritized. This may include cases that have contributed to the evolution of civil rights, privacy, or other fundamental issues.
Unique or unusual aspects

Cases with unusual facts, legal issues, or outcomes that make them particularly interesting or memorable should be considered.
Legal complexity

Cases that involve complex legal questions or intricate legal arguments may be more significant and influential in the development of legal principles and precedents.
Timelessness

Cases that continue to be relevant and important in contemporary legal discussions and debates should be prioritized.
Geographic scope

The extent to which the case has influenced laws and legal systems in multiple jurisdictions or countries should also be considered.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous court cases. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or court case is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

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2113 views
174 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each court case once every 24 hours. The rank of each court case is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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Law and Justice

More information on most famous court cases

The legal system has seen many high-profile court cases throughout history, stirring up public interest and debate. Some cases have shaped the course of history, while others have brought social and political issues to the forefront. From the O.J. Simpson trial to Roe v. Wade, the most famous court cases have captured the attention of millions, sparking intense media coverage and public scrutiny. These cases have had a lasting impact on society, influencing everything from civil rights to criminal justice reform. In this article, we'll dive into some of the most famous court cases of all time and explore their significance.