Marbury v Madison [1803] 5 US (1 Cranch) 137 is widely regarded as the most important landmark case in the United States constitutional law. Decided by the Supreme Court in 1803, the case established the principle of judicial review, which is the power of the courts to review and invalidate laws or government actions that are found to be unconstitutional.
Background
In 1800, President John Adams, a member of the Federalist Party, lost the presidential election to Thomas Jefferson of the Democratic-Republican Party. Two days before leaving office, Adams appointed a number of Federalist judges and justices of the peace in an attempt to frustrate Jefferson administration. One of these appointments was William Marbury as a justice of the peace for the District of Columbia. However, the commissions for some of these appointments, including William Marbury's, were not delivered in time before Adams left office. After the inauguration of President Jefferson, the new Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver Marbury's commission. Marbury then petitioned the Supreme Court, seeking a writ of mandamus, a court order compelling Madison to deliver the commission.
Decision
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled unanimously against Marbury, though it held that Madison's refusal to deliver his commission was illegal. The Court found that the law granting the Supreme Court the power to issue the writ of mandamus, as specified in the Judiciary Act of 1789, was unconstitutional because it exceeded the authority granted by the Constitution. Therefore, the Court could not issue a writ of mandamus to compel Madison to deliver Marbury's commission.
Significance
The concept of judicial review is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but the decision ensured that the Supreme Court has the power to strike down acts of Congress or executive actions that violate the Constitution, thereby asserting its role as the ultimate interpreter of the law. This landmark case established the principle that the US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, not just a statement of political principles. It completed the triangular structure of checks and balances by establishing the principle of judicial review, making clear that the Supreme Court has the authority to invalidate federal and state laws that are contrary to the Constitution.
Marbury v Madison remains one of the most important cases in American constitutional law and has had a profound and lasting impact on the balance of power between the three branches of the federal government. It established the judiciary as a co-equal branch and a vital check on the actions of the legislative and executive branches.
