Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803), is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court.

Marbury v. Madison is the foundational case establishing the principle of judicial review in the United States. In the final days of John Adams’ presidency, William Marbury was appointed as a justice of the peace but his commission was not delivered. When Thomas Jefferson took office, his Secretary of State James Madison refused to deliver the commission. Marbury sued directly in the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus under Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789.

Significance

Chief Justice John Marshall’s opinion declared that Section 13 of the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional because it expanded the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction beyond what Article III permits. This was the first time the Supreme Court struck down an act of Congress. Marshall’s opinion established the judiciary’s power to interpret the Constitution and declare laws void, cementing the Court’s role as a co-equal branch of government. The case is considered the single most important decision in American constitutional law.

Category

US Federal Case Law