The case was decided by the United States Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Roger Taney delivering the majority opinion that Dred Scott was not a citizen and therefore could not sue in federal court and that Scott and all enslaved African Americans were not protected by the Constitution and were not entitled to freedom. 2. Dred Scott's case was only invalid because he could not file a lawsuit since he was not a federal citizen. The court found the smallest detail to prevent Scott from being a free man. Why is the government system set up this way and how does it affect African Americans today?