Weirdest Supreme Court Cases

In class, a while ago we were talking about a lot of Supreme Court cases during that time. The cases we talked about were more informative then weird, so while listening (of course) I was wondering if there were any cases that were notable for just weird and maybe even funny. This post is in some way informative, but also could make you laugh, so enjoy!

1. United States V. Ninety-Five Barrels, More or Less, Alleged Apple Cider Vinegar

The title is the main reason I put this first one down, but this case is pretty bizarre as well.  This case was during the Prohibition error. During that time, food companies were often involved in SHADY activities, like misbranding. In this case, the U.S. government sued the Douglas Packing Company because they used dried apples rehydrated with water to make apple cider vinegar, instead of using traditional fresh apples. I understand the government is trying to protect our health, but I don’t understand why this case was BIG enough to go to the SUPREME COURT. Disclaimer: it isn’t because this issue wasn’t important, but is it really that problematic that it has to go to the supreme court.

1. Birthday Song Case

This series of trails began in the mid-1900s when the happy birthday song (yes, the one you sing to people on their birthdays) was officially patented. This required anyone who used this song to owe the patentors a certain sum of money. A series of restaurants in 1980 were sued for using the song without permission. Restaurants now have their own patents on these songs! This case is pretty self-explanatory, I just thought it was weird that restaurants were getting sued or being forced to pay money for singing happy birthday to their guest?

1. Buck v. Bell

This case we actually briefly talked about in class. This case is not only weird, but it is also despicable. Generally, in the 1900s, John and Alice Dobbs sent their foster daughter Carrie Buck to an insane asylum on the grounds of promiscuity and feeble mindless? This girl had been sexually assaulted by the Dobb’s nephew, and they thought that commuter her would avoid the EMBARRASSMENT that would come to their family name. (Way to put your self-interests before others dude!). Unfortunately, it just got worst for Carrie… This is because at Indiana it was a common practice for the “feeble-minded” to be sterilized. Since Buck’s mom was originally institutionalized, the line of argument was easier and they could p\blame it on some hereditary disorder.

1. Nix v. Hedden

Have you ever wondered where decisions about whether a tomato is a fruit or vegetable came about? Well now, if you are reading this, you’ll find out. in Hedden, the Court ruled on a New York state statute that was taxing tomatoes as vegetables. The Nix family imported large numbers of tomatoes, so they sued to try to lessen their tax burden. The court was forced to rule on whether the tomato was a fruit or vegetable. In case you didn't know, the court ruled that it was a vegetable? But some may disagree (like me), Tomatoes have seeds so shouldn’t it be a fruit?

1. United States v. Approximately 64,695 pounds of Shark Fins 

Just read the name. I’m starting to see that the weird names seem to be involved with the United States government. It seems to be United States vs. (insert weird name here). Anyways, this case resulted from statutes meant to clamp down on shark hunting. Sharks are more commonly taken for their dorsal fin, and the rest of the meat is left to spoil in the ocean. I mean 64,695 is a lot of pounds. The fact that one defendant could be responsible for this many shark fins, is kind of weird and incredible.

That is all I have for now! Hope you enjoyed!