United States v. Lopez (1995)

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Impacts

Yen Tat

Anthony Nguyen

Alan Tat

Leeon Tran

• People questioned the power of Congress.
• Specifically the things they did in private.
• Affected other cases such as United States v. Morrison and Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. United States Army Corps of Engineers ("SWANCC")
• These cases involved limiting power of Congress under the commerce clause.

When?

• March 10, 1992 - Crime Committed
• November 8, 1994 - Trial Started
• April 26, 1995 - Trial Ended

What?

Interesting Facts

Alfonso Lopez, Jr. a 12-grade student, who carried a concealed and loaded gun to his high school. He claimed that he was going to deliver the gun to another person, a service for which he would receive $40. He then was arrested off an anonymous tip.

• One of Congress's laws was rejected by the Supreme Court due to it overstepping their power. Congress does have implied powers, but it has a limit for those powers.
• The voting for the case was pretty close.

- 5 votes for Lopez

- 4 dissent votes

Where?

Edison High School, San Antonio TX

How?

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision that was made in the Court of Appeals. Congress overstepped the authority granted to it via the Commerce Clause; they went too far beyond the implied powers doctrine.

Who?

SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States)

V.

Alfonso Lopez, Jr.: a 12th grade student at Edison High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Why?

Lopez was confronted by school authorities and admitted that he had carried the weapon. The next day, he was charged with violation of the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1980 ( a federal law)- stated that it's unlawful for any individual knowingly to possess a firearm at a place that he knew or had reasonable cause to believe was a school zone-was a constitutional exercise of Congress’ power pursuant to the Commerce Clause of Article I section 8.