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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., 157 U.S. 429 (1895) (in part) | South Carolina v. Baker, 485 U.S. 505 (1988) |
- State import/export tax
| Overruled decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Kentucky v. Dennison, 65 U.S. (24 How.) 66 (1861) | Puerto Rico v. Branstad, 483 U.S. 219 (1987) |
- Equal footing doctrine
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Bonelli Cattle Co. v. Arizona, 414 U.S. 313 (1973) | Oregon ex rel. State Land Board v. Corvallis Sand & Gravel Co., 429 U.S. 363 (1977) |
- Full Faith and Credit
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Nevada v. Hall, 440 U.S. 410 (1979) | Franchise Tax Board of California v. Hyatt, 139 S. Ct. 1485 (2019) |
Article Six
- Supremacy Clause
| Overruled decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Ex parte Bain, 121 U.S. 1 (1887) | United States v. Miller (1985), 471 U.S. 130 (1985) |
- Double jeopardy
| Overruled decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Adkins v. Children's Hospital, 261 U.S. 525 (1923) | West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish, 300 U.S. 379 (1937) |
- Takings Clause
| Overruled decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Perez v. Brownell, 356 U.S. 44 (1958) | Afroyim v. Rusk, 387 U.S. 253 (1967) |
Statutory
42 U.S.C. § 1983
| Overruled decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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) |
Arbitration
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Wilko v. Swan, 346 U.S. 427 (1953) | Rodriguez de Quijas v. Shearson/American Express Inc., 490 U.S. 477 (1989) |
Federal crime
| Overruled decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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 decision | Overruling 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
Absolute and qualified immunity
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194 (2001) | Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223 (2009) |
Admiralty
| Overruled decision | Overruling 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) |
Contract
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Sheehy v. Mandeville, 10 U.S. (6 Cranch) 253 (1810) | Mason v. Eldred, 73 U.S. (6 Wall.) 231 (1868) |
Res judicata
| Overruled decision | Overruling decision |
|---|---|
| Triplett v. Lowell, 297 U.S. 638 (1936) | Blonder-Tongue Labs v. University of Illinois Foundation, 402 U.S. 313 (1971) |
See also
References
- ↑ Struyk, Ryan (September 6, 2018). "The Supreme Court has overturned more than 300 rulings. Is Roe next?". CNN. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
Further reading
- Brandon J. Murrill, The Supreme Court's Overruling of Constitutional Precedent, Congressional Research Service, September 24, 2018.
- James F. Spriggs & Thomas G. Hansford, Explaining the Overruling of U.S. Supreme Court Precedent, 63 J. Pol. 1091 (2001).
External links
- List maintained by the United States Government Printing Office that includes non-explicit overrules