Civil rights Criminal law in the Waite Court

in united states v. cruikshank (1875), court overturned conviction under civil rights crime statute, holding first , second amendment not incorporated against states , fourteenth amendment applied state action. in united states v. reese (1875), court overturned civil rights conviction depriving african-americans of right vote, holding statute void vagueness applied voter suppression. in united states v. harris (1883), known ku klux case, court invalidated unconstitutional civil rights crime statute applied conspiracies deprive state-law rights , privileges.

but, in united states v. gale (1883), court upheld statute punished state officers misconduct in federal congressional elections. and, in united states v. waddell (1884), court upheld criminal civil rights law applied rights of homesteaders. in ex parte virginia (1880) , ex parte siebold (1879), court held civil rights crime statute valid exercise of congress s power under thirteenth , fourteenth amendments. in ku klux cases (1884), court upheld conviction conspiracy prevent voters voting federal officials, finding relevant constitutional right.