The following landmark court decisions in the United States contains landmark court decisions which changed the interpretation of existing law in the United States. Such a decision may settle the law in more than one way: In the United States, landmark court decisions come most frequently from the Supreme Court. United States courts of appeals may also make such decisions, particularly if the Supreme Court chooses not to review the case. Although many cases from state supreme courts are significant in developing the law of that state, only a few are so revolutionary that they announce standards that many other state courts then choose to follow.

Individual rights

Discrimination based on race and ethnicity

Discrimination based on sex

Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity

Power of Congress to enforce civil rights

Immunity from civil rights violations

Birth control and abortion

End of life

Citizenship

Freedom of movement

Restrictions on involuntary commitment

Public health and safety

Other areas

Criminal law

Fourth Amendment rights

Right to counsel

Other rights regarding counsel

Right to remain silent

Competence

Detention of terrorism suspects

Capital punishment

Other criminal sentences

Other areas

Federalism

Native American law

First Amendment rights

General aspects

Freedom of speech and of the press

Freedom of religion

Freedom of association

Freedom of petition

Second Amendment rights

Third Amendment rights

Fourteenth Amendment rights

Separation of powers

Administrative law

Executive power

Domestic

Foreign

Other areas

Voting and Redistricting

Takings Clause

Businesses/Corporations/Contracts

Copyright/Patents

Other