Roanoke court cases 1. **Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County (1951-1955)**: Although not directly in Roanoke, this case was a significant precursor to the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education. The case originated in Prince Edward County, Virginia, where a group of African American students, including Barbara Johns, protested the poor conditions of their school. The case was combined with four other cases and reached the Supreme Court as Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County. The Supreme Court's decision in 1954 declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. 2. **Wright v. City of Roanoke (1976)**: This case involved the Roanoke City Police Department's practice of stopping and frisking individuals without reasonable suspicion, in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The case was brought by John L. Wright, a Roanoke resident who was stopped and frisked without cause. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Wright, stating that the police department's practices were unconstitutional. 3. **Loving v. Virginia (1967)**: While the trial took place in Caroline County, the decision had a significant impact on Roanoke and the rest of Virginia. The case involved Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple who were arrested and convicted of violating Virginia's anti-miscegenation laws. The Supreme Court's decision in 1967 declared such laws unconstitutional, effectively legalizing interracial marriage in the United States. 2. **Wright v. City of Roanoke (1976)**: This case involved the Roanoke City Police Department's practice of stopping and frisking individuals without reasonable suspicion, in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The case was brought by John L. Wright, a Roanoke resident who was stopped and frisked without cause. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Wright, stating that the police department's practices were unconstitutional. 3. **Loving v. Virginia (1967)**: While the trial took place in Caroline County, the decision had a significant impact on Roanoke and the rest of Virginia. The case involved Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple who were arrested and convicted of violating Virginia's anti-miscegenation laws. The Supreme Court's decision in 1967 declared such laws unconstitutional, effectively legalizing interracial marriage in the United States. 4. **Hodges v. United States (1993)**: This case involved the conviction of Lawrence Hodges, a Roanoke resident, for possession of a firearm as a felon. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hodges, stating that the jury had been improperly instructed and that the conviction was therefore invalid. 5. **Harris v. City of Roanoke (2003)**: This case involved the Roanoke City Fire Department's practice of denying promotions to African American firefighters. The case was brought by Ricky Harris, a Roanoke firefighter who was denied a promotion to lieutenant. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Harris, stating that the fire department's practices were discriminatory. 6. **Bostic v. Schaefer (2014)**: This case involved the constitutionality of Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage. The case was brought by Tim Bostic and Tony London, a same-sex couple from Roanoke who were denied a marriage license. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Bostic and London, stating that the ban was unconstitutional. These court cases highlight the important role that Roanoke has played in shaping legal precedents and protecting individual rights. From civil rights to criminal justice, these cases demonstrate the power of the legal system to effect change and promote justice. MedStar gastroenterology doctors use the latest technology and techniques to provide the best possible care for their patients. They perform a variety of procedures, including colonoscopies, endoscopies, and liver biopsies, to diagnose and treat digestive system conditions. In addition, they offer preventive care services such as colon cancer screenings to help patients maintain their digestive health.