List of overruled United States Supreme Court decisions explained

This is a list of decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States that have been explicitly overruled, in part or in whole, by a subsequent decision of the Court. It does not include decisions that have been abrogated by subsequent constitutional amendment or by subsequent amending statutes.

As of 2018, the Supreme Court had overruled more than 300 of its own cases.[1] The longest period between the original decision and the overruling decision is 136 years, for the common law Admiralty cases Minturn v. Maynard, 58 U.S. (17 How.) 476 decision in 1855, overruled by the Exxon Corp. v. Central Gulf Lines Inc., 500 U.S. 603 decision in 1991. The shortest period is 11 months, for the constitutional law Fourth Amendment (re: search and seizure) cases Robbins v. California, 453 U.S. 420 decision in July 1981, overruled by the United States v. Ross, 456 U.S. 798 decision in June 1982. There have been 16 decisions which have simultaneously overruled more than one earlier decision; of these, three have simultaneously overruled four decisions each: the statutory law regarding habeas corpus decision Hensley v. Municipal Court, 411 U.S. 345 (1973), the constitutional law Eleventh Amendment (re: sovereign immunity) decision Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974) and the constitutional law Fifth Amendment (re: double jeopardy) decision Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1 (1978).

Constitutional

Article One

Commerce Clause
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Paul v. Virginia, 75 U.S. 168 (1869) United States v. South-Eastern Underwriters Ass'n, 322 U.S. 533 (1944)
Hammer v. Dagenhart, 247 U.S. 251 (1918)United States v. Darby Lumber Co., 312 U.S. 100 (1941)
Puget Sound Stevedoring Co. v. State Tax Commission, 302 U.S. 90 (1937)Department of Revenue v. Washington Stevedoring Cos., 435 U.S. 734 (1978)
Joseph v. Carter & Weekes Stevedoring Co., 330 U.S. 422 (1947) Department of Revenue v. Washington Stevedoring Cos., 435 U.S. 734 (1978)
Spector Motor Service v. O'Connor, 340 U.S. 602 (1951) Complete Auto Transit v. Brady, 430 U.S. 274 (1977)
Joseph E. Seagram & Sons v. Hostetter, 384 U.S. 35 (1966)Healy v. Beer Institute, 491 U.S. 324 (1989)
National League of Cities v. Usery, 426 U.S. 833 (1976)Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority, 469 U.S. 528 (1985)
Quill Corp. v. North Dakota, 504 U.S. 298 (1992)South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., 585 U.S. ___ (2018)
National Bellas Hess, Inc. v. Department of Revenue of Ill., 386 U.S. 753 (1967)South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., 585 U.S. ___ (2018)
Ex post facto
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Kring v. Missouri, 107 U.S. 221 (1883)Collins v. Youngblood, 497 U.S. 37 (1990)
Thompson v. Utah, 170 U.S. 343 (1898)Collins v. Youngblood, 497 U.S. 37 (1990)
Federal tax
State import/export tax
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Low v. Austin, 80 U.S. (13 Wall.) 29 (1872) Michelin Tire Corp. v. Wages, 423 U.S. 276 (1976)
Hooven & Allison Co. v. Evatt, 324 U.S. 652 (1945)Limbach v. Hooven & Allison Co., 466 U.S. 353 (1984)
Article One courts
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Ex parte Bakelite Corp., 279 U.S. 438 (1929)Glidden Co. v. Zdanok, 370 U.S. 530 (1962)
Williams v. United States, 289 U.S. 553 (1933)Glidden Co. v. Zdanok, 370 U.S. 530 (1962)
O'Callahan v. Parker, 395 U.S. 258 (1969)Solorio v. United States, 483 U.S. 435 (1987)

Article Three

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Swift v. Tyson, 41 U.S. (16 Pet.) 1 (1842)Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (1938)
Durham v. United States, 401 U.S. 481 (1971)Dove v. United States, 423 U.S. 325 (1976) (per curiam)
Compensation Clause
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Evans v. Gore, 253 U.S. 245 (1920) United States v. Hatter, 532 U.S. 557 (2001)
Miles v. Graham, 268 U.S. 501 (1925)O'Malley v. Woodrough, 307 U.S. 277 (1939)

Article Four

Extradition Clause
Equal footing doctrine
Full Faith and Credit

Article Six

Supremacy Clause
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Reitz v. Mealey, 314 U.S. 33 (1941) Perez v. Campbell, 402 U.S. 637 (1971)
Kesler v. Department of Public Safety, 369 U.S. 153 (1962)Perez v. Campbell, 402 U.S. 637 (1971)

First Amendment

Establishment Clause
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971)Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, 597 U.S. ___ (2022)
Meek v. Pittinger, 421 U.S. 349 (1975)Mitchell v. Helms, 530 U.S. 793 (2000)
Wolman v. Walter, 433 U.S. 229 (1977)Mitchell v. Helms, 530 U.S. 793 (2000)
School District of City of Grand Rapids v. Ball, 473 U.S. 373 (1985)Agostini v. Felton, 521 U.S. 203 (1997)
Aguilar v. Felton, 473 U.S. 402 (1985)Agostini v. Felton, 521 U.S. 203 (1997)
Free speech clause
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Whitney v. California, 274 U.S. 357 (1927) Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969)
Minersville School District v. Gobitis, 310 U.S. 586 (1940)West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)
Valentine v. Chrestensen, 316 U.S. 52 (1942)Virginia State Pharmacy Board v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, 425 U.S. 748 (1976)
Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476 (1957)Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973)
Amalgamated Food Employees Union Local 590 v. Logan Valley Plaza, 391 U.S. 308 (1968)Hudgens v. National Labor Relations Board, 424 U.S. 507 (1976)
Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, 494 U.S. 652 (1990)Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310 (2010)
McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, 540 U.S. 93 (2003) (in part)Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310 (2010)
Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209 (1977)Janus v. AFSCME, 585 U.S. (2018)

Fourth Amendment

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Olmstead v. United States, 277 U.S. 438 (1928)Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967)
Harris v. United States, 331 U.S. 145 (1947) Chimel v. California, 395 U.S. 752 (1969)
Wolf v. Colorado, 338 U.S. 25 (1949)Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643 (1961)
Lustig v. United States, 338 U.S. 74 (1949)Elkins v. United States, 364 U.S. 206 (1960)
United States v. Rabinowitz, 339 U.S. 56 (1950) Chimel v. California, 395 U.S. 752 (1969)
Jones v. United States, 362 U.S. 257 (1960) United States v. Salvucci, 448 U.S. 83 (1980)
Aguilar v. Texas, 378 U.S. 108 (1964)Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983)
Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410 (1969)Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983)
Arkansas v. Sanders, 442 U.S. 753 (1979)California v. Acevedo, 500 U.S. 565 (1991)
Robbins v. California, 453 U.S. 420 (1981)United States v. Ross, 456 U.S. 798 (1982)

Fifth Amendment

Grand jury
Double jeopardy
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Coffey v. United States, 116 U.S. 436 (1886)United States v. One Assortment of 89 Firearms, 465 U.S. 354 (1984)
Brantley v. Georgia, 217 U.S. 284 (1910) (per curiam)Price v. Georgia, 398 U.S. 323 (1970)
Palko v. Connecticut, 302 U.S. 319 (1937)Benton v. Maryland, 395 U.S. 784 (1969)
Bryan v. United States, 338 U.S. 552 (1950)Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1 (1978)
Sapir v. United States, 348 U.S. 373 (1955)Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1 (1978)
Yates v. United States, 354 U.S. 298 (1957) (in part)Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1 (1978)
Hoag v. New Jersey, 356 U.S. 464 (1958) Ashe v. Swenson, 397 U.S. 436 (1970)
Forman v. United States, 361 U.S. 416 (1960)Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1 (1978)
United States v. Jenkins, 420 U.S. 358 (1975) United States v. Scott, 437 U.S. 82 (1978)
United States v. Halper, 490 U.S. 435 (1989)Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. 93 (1997)
Grady v. Corbin, 495 U.S. 508 (1990)United States v. Dixon, 509 U.S. 688 (1993)
Self-incrimination
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Twining v. New Jersey, 211 U.S. 78 (1908)Malloy v. Hogan, 378 U.S. 1 (1964)
Cohen v. Hurley, 366 U.S. 117 (1961)Spevack v. Klein, 385 U.S. 511 (1967)
Due process
Takings Clause
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Agins v. City of Tiburon, 447 U.S. 255, (1980)Lingle v. Chevron U.S.A. Inc., 544 U.S. 528 (2005)
Williamson County Regional Planning Comm'n v. Hamilton Bank of Johnson City, 473 U.S. 172 (1985)Knick v. Township of Scott, Pennsylvania, 588 U.S. ___ (2019)

Sixth Amendment

Jury right
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Sinclair v. United States, 279 U.S. 263 (1929)United States v. Gaudin, 515 U.S. 506 (1995)
Apodaca v. Oregon, 406 U.S. 404 (1972)Ramos v. Louisiana, 590 U.S. ___ (2020)
Walton v. Arizona, 497 U.S. 639 (1990)Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584 (2002)
Harris v. United States, 536 U.S. 545 (2002)Alleyne v. United States, 570 U.S. 99 (2013)
Confrontation Clause
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Delli Paoli v. United States, 352 U.S. 232 (1957)Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123 (1968)
Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56 (1980)Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004)
Right to counsel
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Betts v. Brady, 316 U.S. 455 (1942)Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963)
Baldasar v. Illinois, 446 U.S. 222 (1980)Nichols v. United States, 511 U.S. 738 (1994)
Michigan v. Jackson, 475 U.S. 625 (1986)Montejo v. Louisiana, 129 S. Ct. 2079 (2009)

Eighth Amendment

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Booth v. Maryland, 482 U.S. 496 (1987)Payne v. Tennessee, 501 U.S. 808 (1991)
South Carolina v. Gathers, 490 U.S. 805 (1989)Payne v. Tennessee, 501 U.S. 808 (1991)
Penry v. Lynaugh, 492 U.S. 302 (1989)Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2002)
Stanford v. Kentucky, 492 U.S. 361 (1989)Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005)

Eleventh Amendment

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Ford Motor Co. v. Department of Treasury, 323 U.S. 459 (1945)Lapides v. Board of Regents of University System of Georgia, 535 U.S. 613 (2002)
Parden v. Terminal Railroad Co. of Alabama Docks Department, 377 U.S. 184 (1964)Welch v. Texas Department of Highways & Transportation, 483 U.S. 468 (1987)
Parden v. Terminal Railroad Co. of Alabama Docks Department, 377 U.S. 184 (1964)College Savings Bank v. Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Education Expense Board, 527 U.S. 666 (1999)
Shapiro v. Thompson, 394 U.S. 618 (1969) (in part)Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974)
State Department of Health & Rehabilitation Services. v. Zarate, 407 U.S. 918 (1972) Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974)
Sterrett v. Mothers’ & Children’s Rights Organization, 409 U.S. 809 (1973)Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974)
Wyman v. Bowens, 397 U.S. 49 (1970) Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974)
Pennsylvania v. Union Gas Co., 491 U.S. 1 (1989)Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44 (1997)

Fourteenth Amendment

Procedural due process
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Simpson v. Rice, 395 U.S. 711 (1969)Alabama v. Smith, 490 U.S. 794 (1989)
Arnett v. Kennedy, 416 U.S. 134 (1974)Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill, 470 U.S. 532 (1985)
Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527 (1981)Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327 (1986)
Substantive due process
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Liggett Co. v. Baldridge, 278 U.S. 105 (1928) North Dakota Pharmacy Board v. Snyder’s Drug Stores, 414 U.S. 156 (1973)
City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health, 462 U.S. 416 (1983)Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992)
Thornburgh v. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, 476 U.S. 747 (1986)Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992)
Bowers v. Hardwick, 478 U.S. 186 (1986)Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003)
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)
Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992)Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)
Equal protection
Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Pace v. Alabama, 106 U.S. (16 Otto) 583 (1883)McLaughlin v. Florida, 379 U.S. 184 (1964)
Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896)Brown v. Board of Education, 347 US 483 (1954)
Quaker City Cab Co. v. Pennsylvania, 277 U.S. 389 (1928) Lehnhausen v. Lake Shore Auto Parts Co., 410 U.S. 356 (1973)
Breedlove v. Suttles, 302 U.S. 277 (1937)Harper v. Virginia State Board of Elections, 383 U.S. 663 (1966)
Goesaert v. Cleary, 335 U.S. 464 (1948)Craig v. Boren, 429 U.S. 190 (1976)
Morey v. Doud, 354 U.S. 457 (1957) City of New Orleans v. Dukes, 427 U.S. 297 (1976) (per curiam)
Hoyt v. Florida, 368 U.S. 57 (1961)Taylor v. Louisiana, 419 U.S. 522 (1975)
Swain v. Alabama, 380 U.S. 202 (1965) Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986)
Baker v. Nelson, 409 U.S. 810 (1972)Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015)
Metro Broadcasting, Inc. v. FCC, 497 U.S. 547 (1990)Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Peña, 515 U.S. 200 (1995)
Citizenship

Statutory

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Collins v. Hardyman, 341 U.S. 651 (1951)Griffin v. Breckenridge, 403 U.S. 88 (1971)
Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167 (1961) (in part)Monell v. Department of Social Services of the City of New York, 436 U.S. 658 (1978)

Antitrust

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Dr. Miles Medical Co. v. John D. Park & Sons Co., 220 U.S. 373 (1911)Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc., 551 U.S. 877 (2007)
United States v. Yellow Cab Co., 332 U.S. 218 (1947)Copperweld Corp. v. Independence Tube Corp., 467 U.S. 752 (1984)
Kiefer-Stewart Co. v. Jos. E. Seagram & Sons, 340 U.S. 211 (1951)Copperweld Corp. v. Independence Tube Corp., 467 U.S. 752 (1984)
United States v. Arnold, Schwinn & Co., 388 U.S. 365 (1967)Continental Television, Inc. v. GTE Sylvania, Inc., 433 U.S. 36 (1977)
Albrecht v. Herald Co., 390 U.S. 145 (1968)State Oil Co. v. Khan, 522 U.S. 3 (1997)

Federal crime

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
United States v. Bramblett, 348 U.S. 503 (1955)Hubbard v. United States, 514 U.S. 695 (1995)
Ward v. Race Horse, 163 U.S. 504 (1896)Herrera v. Wyoming, 139 S. Ct. 1686 (2019)

Habeas

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Wales v. Whitney (1885)Hensley v. Municipal Court, 411 U.S. 345 (1973)
Baker v. Grice, 169 U.S. 284 (1898)Hensley v. Municipal Court, 411 U.S. 345 (1973)
Johnson v. Hoy, 227 U.S. 245 (1913)Hensley v. Municipal Court, 411 U.S. 345 (1973)
Stallings v. Splain, 253 U.S. 339 (1920)Hensley v. Municipal Court, 411 U.S. 345 (1973)
McNally v. Hill, 293 U.S. 131 (1934)Peyton v. Rowe, 391 U.S. 54 (1968)
Ahrens v. Clark, 335 U.S. 188 (1948) (in part)Braden v. 30th Judicial Circuit Court of Kentucky, 410 U.S. 484 (1973)
Parker v. Ellis, 362 U.S. 574 (1960) (per curiam)Carafas v. LaVallee, 391 U.S. 234 (1968)
Fay v. Noia, 372 U.S. 391 (1963)Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722 (1991)
Teague v. Lane (in part), 489 U.S. 288 (1989)Edwards v. Vannoy, 593 U.S. ___ (2021)

Labor

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Moore v. Illinois Central Railroad, 312 U.S. 630 (1941) Andrews v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad, 406 U.S. 320 (1972)
United Auto Workers v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Board, 336 U.S. 245 (1949)International Ass'n of Machinists & Aerospace Workers v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, 427 U.S. 132 (1976)
Sinclair Refining Co. v. Atkinson, 370 U.S. 195 (1962) Boys Markets, Inc. v. Retail Clerks Union, 398 U.S. 235 (1970)

Common law

Admiralty

Overruled decisionOverruling decision
Rose v. Himley, 8 U.S. (4 Cranch) 241 (1808) Hudson v. Guestier, 10 U.S. (6 Cranch) 281 (1810)
The Thomas Jefferson v. District Court of Kentucky, 23 U.S. (10 Wheat.) 428 (1825)The Genesee Chief v. Fitzhugh, 53 U.S. (12 How.) 443 (1851)
The Schooner Catherine v. Dickinson, 58 U.S. (17 How.) 170 (1854) United States v. Reliable Transfer Co., 421 U.S. 397 (1975)
Minturn v. Maynard, 58 U.S. (17 How.) 476 (1855)Exxon Corp. v. Central Gulf Lines Inc. 500 U.S. 603 (1991)
The Harrisburg, 119 U.S. 199 (1886) Moragne v. States Marine Lines, Inc., 398 U.S. 375 (1970)

Res judicata

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Supreme Court has overturned more than 300 rulings. Is Roe next?. Ryan . Struyk. September 6, 2018. CNN. 2020-01-17.