Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad

Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad (1886) was a court case that established the legal principle that corporations are considered "persons" under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The case involved a tax dispute, but the Supreme Court's decision, based on a preamble in the court's notes, influenced how corporations gained legal rights similar to individuals. This ruling significantly impacted corporate rights and their ability to participate fully in the legal system, shaping how corporations are treated under U.S. law.