feb 5, 1803 - Marbury v Madison
Description:
What was the case about?
William Marbury and three more petitioned the Supreme Court because President John Adams didn’t have enough time before the end of his presidency to give them their commissions (which would allow them to assume their appointed offices), so they couldn’t hold office
And Jefferson, as the next president, refused to give them their commissions
Jefferson said the commissions were invalid because they hadn’t been delivered on time
Marbury said they were valid because there were properly reviewed and approved of under Adams
Decision:
Marbury should get his commission → Jefferson’s refusal to give it to him is illegal
But the Court doesn’t have the power to force Jefferson to, so Marbury’s case denied
And that the Judiciary Act and the Constitution conflict because Congress cannot change the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction
Significance:
Widened the power of the Supreme Court
Established judicial review: gave the court the power to declare a law unconstitutional
Added to timeline:
US History
Date:
