Supreme Court decisions like Brown v. Board of Education, Grutter v. Bollinger, and Hernandez v. Texas have had a significant impact on protecting personal rights and are considered landmark cases for this reason.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a landmark case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision had a profound impact on the civil rights movement and led to the eventual desegregation of public schools in the United States. The decision was based on the principle that segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal treatment under the law.
Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) was a landmark case that upheld the use of affirmative action policies in university admissions, as long as they were narrowly tailored to achieve diversity. The decision recognized the importance of diversity in higher education and upheld the principle that race could be considered as a factor in admissions decisions, as long as it was not the sole or predominant factor.
Hernandez v. Texas (1954) was a landmark case that extended the right to a jury trial to all defendants, including Mexican Americans. The decision recognized that the exclusion of Mexican Americans from juries violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
These cases are considered landmark because they established important legal precedents and protections for personal rights. They helped to advance the cause of civil rights, promote diversity, and ensure equal treatment under the law. These decisions have had a lasting impact on American society and continue to be cited in legal arguments and debates today.