The Warren Court Effects

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Marise Isaac 5/24/14 Warren Court Effects Between 1953 and 1969, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court was Earl Warren. Supreme Court decisions made during the “'Warren Court” era led to significant changes in various aspects of life in the United States. Several important court cases affected equal protection under the law, separation of church and state, and the rights of individuals accused of crimes. Some of these court cases are Brown v. Board of education, which allowed black students equal educational opportunities as white students. And also the Miranda v. Arizona case, which established that criminal defendants had a right to know their rights under the constitution prior to questioning by law enforcement. Even though the Declaration of Independence stated that "All men are created equal’’ this hasn’t always been the case. In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified and finally put an end to slavery. In addition, the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) strengthened the legal rights of newly freed slaves by stating that no state shall deprive anyone of either "due process of law" or of the "equal protection of the law." And finally, the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) further strengthened the legal rights of newly freed slaves by prohibiting states from denying anyone the right to vote due to race. Despite these Amendments, African Americans were still treated differently than whites in many parts of the country, especially in the South. In 1954 the Warren Court ruled that separate educational facilities for whites and blacks are unequal, and don’t follow the 14th amendment, which is the right of “equal protection under the law”. This resulted in the Brown v. Board of education case, which stated that publ... ... middle of paper ... ...cement. Prior to this, police officers did not have to advise a suspect about his rights. The Miranda decision was greatly supported in American society. Most American suspects knew about their Miranda rights, including the right to an attorney if arrested, and the right to remain silent (Doc.7). Miranda v. Arizona was clearly a long-lasting Warren Court decision that will not likely lose its significance in the near future because of its 5th and 14th amendment guarantees that all Americans are entitled to. The Warren Court was surely beneficial to the American Society. The cases it decided were key to shaping modern perspectives on freedom and justice. It led to significant changes in various aspects of life in America, which were met with mixed feelings. The Warren Court demonstrates the power of the judicial branch to revolutionize American culture and society.

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