Barron v. Baltimore

Barron v. Baltimore (1833) was a landmark Supreme Court case that determined the Bill of Rights, including protections like free speech and property rights, only limited the powers of the federal government, not state governments. John Barron argued that Baltimore's city actions deprived him of property without compensation, violating his rights. The Court ruled that the Bill of Rights did not apply to the states, establishing a key principle that federal constitutional protections did not automatically restrict state laws. This decision shaped the understanding of individual rights and states' powers until the 14th Amendment expanded protections in later years.