Why is the Supreme Court decision Marbury V. Madison important?

Answer 1

Marbury vs. Madison was a case decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1803. It is a critical case in American jurisprudence because it established once and for all the principal of "judicial review". Judicial Review is NOT "a pillar in the system of checks and balances". Checks and Balances is a system that separates the government into three branches (Executive, Judicial, and Legislative). The system of checks and balances gives each branch of government its own powers to check on the other branches so no branch gets too crazy with power. Judicial review is the power that is given to the federal courts to not accept acts that are considered unconstitutional. Here is the exact definition: "The power of the federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution."

The background of the case involved the issuance by outgoing President John Adams of a commission as justice of the peace (a lower level judicial position) to William Marbury. The new Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver it, and Marbury sued to get it.

The net result, and that for which the case shall be forever remembered, is that the judicial branch of government (the courts) have the power and authority to determine the constitutionality of the actions of the other branches of government.

Case Citation:

Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137 (1803)

Answer 2

Marbury v. Madison is important because it established the power of judicial review for the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts with respect to the Constitution and eventually for parallel state courts with respect to state constitutions.

Answer 3

It established the supreme court's right of "judicial review"

Answer 4

Marbury v. Madison established the nature of Article III of the U.S. Constitution and that of judicial review in American Constitutional Law jurisprudence.

Answer 5

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