Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803)
Marbury v. Madison (1803) is arguably the most important case in American constitutional law, establishing the principle of judicial review - the power of federal courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.
Does the Supreme Court have the power to issue a writ of mandamus under the Judiciary Act of 1789, and more fundamentally, can the Supreme Court declare acts of Congress unconstitutional?
The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review - the authority to declare laws unconstitutional when they conflict with the Constitution. The Constitution is supreme law, and courts must refuse to enforce unconstitutional statutes. However, the Court's jurisdiction is limited to what the Constitution grants.
The Court held that while Marbury had a right to his commission, the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction to issue the writ of mandamus because the relevant provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional. The Court declared that Congress cannot expand the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction beyond what the Constitution specifies.
Marbury established judicial review as a fundamental principle of American constitutional law, making the judiciary a co-equal branch of government with power to check legislative and executive authority. The decision created the framework for constitutional interpretation and judicial supremacy that continues today. Marshall's political genius allowed the Court to establish its power while avoiding direct confrontation with Jefferson's administration.