Marbury v. Madison

Definition

Marbury v. Madison was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1803 that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional. This case solidified the role of the judiciary as an equal branch of government, shaping the balance of power among the branches and influencing the interpretation and application of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The case arose when William Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court to compel Secretary of State James Madison to deliver his commission as a justice of the peace.
2. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote the opinion for the court, stating that while Marbury had a right to his commission, the court did not have the authority to issue a writ of mandamus under the Judiciary Act of 1789.
3. Marbury v. Madison established that it is the duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, thereby asserting judicial authority over legislative acts.
4. This case marked the first time the Supreme Court struck down an act of Congress, setting a precedent for future judicial review cases.
5. The decision had a lasting impact on the relationship between branches of government, reinforcing the system of checks and balances embedded in the Constitution.

Review Questions

• How did Marbury v. Madison change the relationship between the judicial branch and other branches of government?
  • Marbury v. Madison fundamentally altered the relationship between the judicial branch and other branches by establishing judicial review as a key function of the courts. By asserting their ability to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, the Supreme Court positioned itself as an equal branch of government, capable of checking legislative and executive power. This decision emphasized that laws must adhere to constitutional principles, reinforcing the checks and balances system that prevents any single branch from becoming too powerful.
• In what ways did Marbury v. Madison impact the interpretation and application of the Bill of Rights?
  • Marbury v. Madison impacted the interpretation and application of the Bill of Rights by affirming that individual rights protected by the Constitution could be defended through judicial review. Although Marbury itself did not directly involve a Bill of Rights issue, its establishment of judicial authority laid groundwork for later cases where courts would examine laws against constitutional rights. This set a precedent for ensuring that legislative actions did not infringe upon personal freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
• Evaluate how Marbury v. Madison set a precedent for future cases involving constitutional interpretation methods in relation to modern governance.
  • Marbury v. Madison set a crucial precedent for future cases involving constitutional interpretation methods by emphasizing that judicial review is essential for maintaining constitutional supremacy in modern governance. This case paved the way for various interpretation methods, including strict constructionism and living constitutionalism, as courts grappled with how to apply constitutional principles in contemporary contexts. As society evolves, the principles established in Marbury continue to influence how courts assess laws against constitutional standards, demonstrating its enduring relevance in upholding democratic values.

Related terms

Judicial Review: The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, enabling them to invalidate laws that violate constitutional principles.

Constitutional Supremacy: The doctrine that the Constitution is the highest law of the land, and any law that conflicts with it is void.

Separation of Powers:

The constitutional division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.