Profiles major U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have made a significant impact on American society. Each volume is organized by broad legal principles such as individual liberties, criminal justice, equal protection, and business and government law. Within this framework, case entries are arranged under the more specific legal issue to which they relate, such as affirmative action, capital punishment, freedom of speech, and monopolies.

Cases alphabetically -- Cases chronologically -- Reader's guide -- Advisors -- Guide to the united states supreme court -- Research and activity ideas -- Words to know -- Volume 1: Individual liberties freedom of assembly -- Volume 2: Criminal justice and family law capital punishment -- Volume 3: Equal protection and civil rights affirmative action -- Volume 4: Business and government law antitrust, business, corporate and contract law -- General bibliography -- Justices of the supreme court -- The constitution of the united states -- Index.