1899 Court case (Moore v. Dempsey)

Moore v. Dempsey (1923) was a key Supreme Court case addressing racial injustice in criminal trials. African Americans accused of crimes in Arkansas were quickly convicted in unfair trials heavily influenced by racial violence and intimidation. The Court ruled that federal courts could review and correct state court convictions if they involved violations of constitutional rights, such as due process. This case established that state criminal cases, especially those intertwined with racial discrimination and violence, could be challenged in federal courts to prevent abuses and ensure fair treatment under the Constitution.