How Supreme Court Decisoins have affected American Society Essay

The overbearing address has been given credit and blame for having a wide range of effects on society. The ratioci dry lands that they drive home do on current and past issues subscribe initiated change in American society. These changes prevail had both positive and interdict results. The effects of their finishs brook ranged from improving the view of certain ethnic groups to limiting the procedures of law enforcers and clearly defining the rights of lawbreakers. In essence, independent act decisions squander had a profound influence on the behaviors of citizens as well as the semipolitical structure of this land.The decisions of justices have adapted behavior of political and governmental officials as well as a man walking down the street(Miller 4). To get wind the role of the compulsive move in the American system then wizard must pay attention to the brotherly impact of greet decisions. The supreme court has assumed the task (of)enforcing a law known to a ll, of deciding what law ought to be and fashioning any changes called for (Knight 1). Decisions ar made by the Justices from strange principles non beca persona of the law, but because of an evaluation of what impact the decision will have on American society.The ultimate move has had a greater of import impact then any other government institution on society as a whole. The decisions have affected peoples behavior as individuals and social institutions such as the family and economy (Baum 318). The decisions of the independent approach justices have affected the social behavior of people by influencing(their) thinking and the structures in which they operate(Baum 319).Change is the primary characteristic of American Society (Miller 4). Change must to a fault exist in American law. As society progresses and changes, the Court must address injustices as a result of change and determine criteria for a particular decision (Miller 5). As stated precedent, the absolute Court decisions have initiated both political and social change (Baum 319). The record was established for certain and definite purposes. However what the innovation Fathers did non account for was change (Miller 4). As a result the Supreme Court has adapted the concept of an evolving Constitution (Miller 5).It was necessary to redefine laws that were passed earlier to adjust to the changing society. Also, it was necessary as time progressed and the movement for comparability grew, the Supreme Court need to reexamine the narrow mindedness of our Founding Fathers (Miller 5). Decisions were made that controld persons regardless of gender, race or godliness were all granted the rights and privileges entitle to them as United States citizens.The Supreme Court has been involved in making dramatic decisions concerning social issues. Several areas that have been affected by their opinions allow in 1) civil rights, 2) apparitional activities, and 3) patrol policy and procedure (Kessel 1 94). Although the actual decisions had detailed impact on society, they would stimulate other actions for change and in circle make a difference in society (Baum 319). For example, the decision to unify teachs would be the catalyst for the civil rights movement. The Schemmp decision as well as the Roe vs. Wade decision will fuel the use of religion as a political stance (Baum 319). To understand how influential Supreme Court decisions are it is necessary to examine what effect they have had on American society.One of the most monument decisions was the effects of Brown Vs. the tabular array of Education. This decision ordered the desegregation of aim throughout the nation. Previous to this decision, Plessy vs. Ferguson gravel precedent that institutions such as schools or public facilities could be nonintegrated based on race. The condition of this decision was that both facilities whether for Caucasians or African Americans must be equal in quality. When this condition fail ed to exist to be met it became necessary for these institutions become desegregated. Brown vs. The board of Education necessitate that school districts with separate school for Blacks and White students be desegregated (Baum 305).Most of the states in the blue and western states conformed to this decision. However in the Deep South, were slavery had been an institution, the call for desegragation was not widely accepted. In addition, the Supreme Court had allowed an open-ended delay to desegregation. This allowedschool districts to take their time in desegregating schools(Baum 318). In the South desegregation(did not occur) for a decade because school administrators resisted Supreme Court ruling (Baum 318). some(prenominal) districts took some(prenominal) more years and the use of congressional force to imitate the ruling.The Courts protagonisted to make desegregation possible. It also had an impact on the governments feelings toward racial discrimination. These rulings demo nstrated that government maintenance of discrimination was unconstitutional. It also declared that there needed to be efforts to achieve racial equality(Baum 307). As stated earlier, the Supreme Court had been a contributor to social change. It would help to initiate the civil rights movement. Once the civil rights movement became active, the Supreme Court took steps to protect it(Baum 318). Their decisions, although they did not directly protect the movements participants, helped to strengthen the cause. In fact Supreme Court decisions in support of racial equality have been viewed as a motivating component of civil rights revolution of 1950s and 1960s and also the improvement of the post of African Americans (Baum 318).Another influential decision of the Supreme Court adjudicate concerned jurisprudence procedures and policies. In Miranda vs. Arizona, the Supreme Court established immature restrictions on search and seizure as well as necessary certain warnings must be read to a suspect introductory to questioning by police officers or detectives (Wald 149). Under the Miranda ruling, police have to give adequate and effective warning of legal rights and honor the suspects use of the rights(Wald 155). This is to ensure that the suspect will understand the meaning of these rights and how they apply to him. It is also to ensure that the suspect does what is in his best interest(Wald 155). In addition the presence of a lawyer during questioning ensured that the suspects fifth Amendment right under the constitution is not violated.Prior knowledge of one s self interest would allow them t act in their best interest. Once the defendant is properly warned of his rights, he will be in a position to act in accordance to his interests in remaining silent andrequesting a lawyer. The suspect also needed to understand that he is in an adversary system that is not working in his interest (Wald 156).It was believed that the decision from Miranda vs. Arizona would fo ster successful law enforcement. The Miranda rights were required to decrease the rate of coerced confessions due to police brutality. It has had limited effects. The Supreme Court decision has fueled debates over the rights of suspects (Baum 306). It is believed by some that once a person commits a crime by breaking the law they are not entitled to additional rights. In addition, Convictions have been lost because of the elaboration of defendants rights. They were failed to be read their Miranda rights so they were released (Wald 156).However the Miranda decision has helped to impose restrictions on how much force and intimidation tactics police officials can use on suspects. In an attempt to end mistreatment of suspects by the police, the Miranda decision makes sure that the suspect has a real understanding of their rights and that they are clearly stated (Wald 163). In an attempt to end injustices toward crime suspects, several states have also gone to further limiting and narro wing police practices. Police officers have somewhat abided by these court-imposed restrictions. Those who have not have subsequently been faced with charges of violating a persons civil rights and hazard becoming a suspect themselves (Baum 306).The final Supreme Court decision that has had an impact on American society was the decisions concerning seperation of church and state. The Supreme Court of the United States has been a vigilant watchdog in preserving the separation in the midst of church and state called for by the Constitution. In 1962 the Court ruled in Engel v. Vitale on the constitutionality of public?school prayers (Gawrisch). Enthusiasim arose in 1963 following the Courts decision in two historic cases, Abington v. Schemmp and Murray v. Curlett. The devotional use of the sacred scripture and all forms of prayer were banned from public schools as a dispute of the Establishment Clause. Objective study about religion and reading of the countersign for its literary and historic qualities were not prohibited (Gawrisch).These decisions had an impact on policies pick out and enforced on a school district level (Birkby 109). slice some schools initially ignored the ruling, most adhered to it. Over time national government limited religious observances in public schools (Baum 306). Ironically, this was an attempt to ensure religious freedom (Birkby 110). As time progressed the Court reiterate their rulings in different cases. As recent as 1992 & 2000, decisions have been made restricting prayer at school ceremonies and sporting events (Baum306).Some may advocate that eliminating prayer in school has only further damaged the educational process of students. Other believe it has had adverse effects on the students (Baum 318). Students have lost their ideas of morals, and virtues. They are unable to realize that there are consequences for their actions whether negative or positive in nature.However as a nation of diversity it is unfair for educati onal institutions to allow the practice of certain religious practices and not others. Again one must look at the constitution right of freedom of religion and that one must not be forced to exposure to religious practices they do not participate in. In fact court decisions on school prayer have been cited as an important stimulus for the emergence of religious rights as a political movement (Baum 318). It is an issue that has yet to be resolved and will confront as long as America remains a nation of diverse people with distinctive views on religion.In conclusion, the Supreme Court has been a contributor to social change. It decisions have influenced the behaviors and attitudes of Americans since its creation. Although some may not agree with their opinion, they are forced to abide. It fulfills its duty as the interpreter of the law. It is in deciding body on political as well as social issues. It opinions and decisions have had rippling effects through Americas history. It as hel ped to reshape and redefine Americas perspective on important social issues. It is the final say in disputes that exist in this ever-changing society.Baum, Lawrence. American Court Process and Policy. 5th ed. Houghton MifflinCompany capital of Massachusetts 2001.Birkby, Robert H., The Supreme Court and the Bible belt Tennessee Reactionto the Schempp Decision. The touch on of Supreme Court Decisions. Ed.Theodore L. Becker. New York Oxford University Press.1969 106-114.Gawrisch, Wilbert. The separation of Church and State as it relates to OurChristian Schools.Kessel, John H., Public Perceptions of the Supreme Court. The Impact ofSupreme Court Decisions. Ed. Theodore L. Becker. New York Oxford University Press.1969 193-205.Knight, G. On the Meaning of Justice NOMOS VI Justice 1,2 Eds. Friedman& Chapman.1963.Miller, Arthur S., On the Need for Impact Analysis of Supreme CourtDecisions. The Impact of Supreme Court Decisions. Ed. Theodore L. Becker. New York Oxford University Press.1969 3 -6.Wald, Michael S., Interrogations in New Haven The Impact of Miranda TheImpact of Supreme Court Decisions. Ed. Theodore L. Becker. New York Oxford University Press. 1969 149-164.