Which US Supreme Court case established the Court's authority as the final interpreter of the US Constitution?

Answer 1

The decision in the Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137 (1803) case established the doctrine of "judicial review," which is the Supreme Court's power to evaluate laws and declare them unconstitutional.

Chief Justice John Marshall reasoned that the language in Article III of the Constitution, which explicated and enumerated the power of the US Supreme Court, intended the Judicial branch (which the Supreme Court heads) to ensure all laws conform to constitutional mandates.

"The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority..." [emphasis mine]

This clause can be interpreted to mean the Judicial branch is further empowered with the authority to determine whether legislation is constitutionally sound. If the Legislative or Executive branches are allowed to act unilaterally, without any form of oversight, then there is no means of protecting the integrity of the Constitution. This responsibility would logically fall to those with an understanding of law, the judiciary, or more specifically, the Supreme Court.

The Constitution limits the action of all branches of government, not just the judiciary. The lack of specific instruction for which cases fall under the Court's appellate jurisdiction, as opposed to the specificity of which cases are under its original jurisdiction, tends to suggest the Founding Fathers intended to provide the Court an expanded scope of responsibility with regard to safeguarding the Constitution, not a more limited one.

This is part of the system of checks and balances that helps ensure no single branch of the government becomes too powerful or tyrannical.

Case Citation:

Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137 (1803)

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 2

Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137 (1803)

The most important result of Marbury v. Madison, (1803), is that it affirmed the Supreme Court's right of judicial review and set a precedent for future cases. Judicial review is the power of the Court to evaluate challenged legislation to determine its constitutionality, and to nullify any laws they find unconstitutional.

In Marbury, the Supreme Court determined Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional because Congress had overreached their authority by granting the Court the right to issue all writs of mandamus, which contradicted the language of Article III of the Constitution.

Answer 3

Although judicial review is a carryover from British common law and in use well before the United States had a Supreme Court (and thereafter, before the Marbury v. Madison case), the Marshall Court is generally credited with establishing the legitimacy of its use in the new federal government. Fourth Chief Justice John Marshall claimed the right of judicial review for the Judicial Branch of government in his opinion for Marbury v. Madison, (1803).

Case Citation:

Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137 (1803)

Answer 4

The Supreme Court case that upheld it's own right of Judicial Review was the Case of Marbury v. Madison, 1803.

Answer 5

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 6

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 7

Marbury Vs Madison

Answer 8

Marbury v. Madison