Landmark Supreme Court Cases, Gold Edition

Should the death penalty be considered cruel and unusual punishment? This was the question brought before the United States Supreme Court in 1972. Author D. J. Herda examines the ideas and arguments behind this landmark case. Presented in a lively, thought-provoking overview, Herda brings to life the people and events of this controversial decision and sheds light on the current controversy still raging across the country today.

On June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court announced its decision in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller. By a vote of 5 to 4, the court struck down a ban on guns as a violation of the Second Amendment. Still, the debate rages on. Does a private citizen still have the right to own a gun for self-defense of the home? Did the government have the right to restrict an entire class of weapons, either by levying taxes or banning them altogether? Tom Streissguth looks at all of the sides of this complex and controversial legal debate.

Slave or citizen? This was the key question that Dred Scott brought to the United States Supreme Court in May of 1857. Author D. J. Herda examines the ideas and arguments behind this landmark case. Presented in a lively, thought-provoking overview, Herda brings into sharp focus the people, the case, and the fateful decision that upheld the legality of slavery.

Should news providers be allowed to publish stories that may prove embarrassing to the United States government? This was the question the United States Supreme Court had to consider in the case of New York Times v. United States in 1971. Author D. J. Herda examines the mood of the country during this time, along with the ideas and arguments behind this landmark case. Presented in a lively, thought-provoking overview, Herda brings into sharp focus the people and events of this decision maintaining freedom of the press.