The United States v. Scotland Neck City Board of Education et al., 1971, was a case that revolved around the issue of school desegregation in North Carolina. The city of Scotland Neck had attempted to create a new, predominantly white, city school system from parts of an existing county-wide system which was under federal orders to desegregate. The U.S Department of Justice challenged this move as it would impede the process and progress towards racial integration in schools. The Supreme Court ruled against the creation of such a district on grounds that it violated both equal protection clause and civil rights laws by perpetuating segregation rather than eliminating it. This decision reinforced the commitment to end racially segregated education systems across America.

In the dissenting opinion for United States v. Scotland Neck City Board of Education et al., Justice Rehnquist disagreed with the majority's decision to block a North Carolina law that would have allowed white parents in Halifax County to avoid sending their children to racially integrated schools by creating a new, mostly white city school district. He argued that federal courts should not interfere with state decisions unless there is clear evidence of discriminatory intent or effect, which he did not believe was present in this case. Rehnquist also criticized the majority for overstepping its judicial authority and intruding into matters best left to local authorities and elected officials who are more familiar with local conditions and needs. He believed that such interference undermines public confidence in both federal courts and desegregation efforts.