The case that established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review is Marbury v. Madison (1803). In this landmark decision, Chief Justice John Marshall asserted that it is the duty of the judiciary to interpret the law and that laws contrary to the Constitution are void. This ruling set a precedent for the Court to nullify laws that it finds unconstitutional, thereby solidifying the judiciary's role as a check on legislative and executive powers.
It allowed the Supreme Court to overrule an unconstitutional law.
The US Supreme Court
The Constitution could be thrown out the window. The US Supreme Court serves an important function in ensuring the other branches follow constitutional principles. If Congress had the ability to pass laws without the interference of the Court, they could pass unconstitutional and oppressive laws, and no one would have the authority to stop them. The President, also, might issue Executive Orders that allowed him (or her) to become a dictator.
The Marbury v. Madison ruling cemented the idea of checks and balances by establishing the idea of judicial review. This allowed for the Supreme Court to interpret and declare laws unconstitutional as they saw fit.
The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803) declared a provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional. This provision allowed the Supreme Court to issue writs of mandamus, which would have enabled the Court to compel government officials to act, thus exceeding the authority granted to the Court by the Constitution. This landmark decision established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution.
It allowed the Judicial Branch to check the actions of the Legislative Branch by affirming the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.
The Marbury v. Madison ruling cemented the idea of checks and balances by establishing the idea of judicial review. This allowed for the Supreme Court to interpret and declare laws unconstitutional as they saw fit.
Judicial ReviewThe Supreme Court's ability to analyze Acts of Congress (Legislative branch) and Presidential actions or Executive Orders in terms of their constitutionality is called "judicial review." If the Court decides law or order under review unconstitutional, it will be nullified and rendered unenforceable.It is important to note that the Supreme Court can not initiate investigations into Congress or the President, but must wait for someone to petition an appropriate case or controversy directly related to a particular law or order before the Court can evaluate it and take action.Judicial review is part of the system of checks and balances the three branches use to prevent each other from becoming too powerful.The Supreme Court set precedent for this interpretation in their ruling in the case of Marbury v. Madison, (1803), when the Justices concluded Section 13 of the Judicial Act of 1789 was unconstitutional. Congress had granted the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus (an order compelling an official to take action) to government officials, an action Chief Justice John Marshall claimed was unconstitutional because it was outside the scope of authority the Constitution allowed the Supreme Court (the validity of Marshall's argument is debatable).For more information, see Related Questions, below.
The Marbury v. Madison ruling cemented the idea of checks and balances by establishing the idea of judicial review. This allowed for the Supreme Court to interpret and declare laws unconstitutional as they saw fit.
Courts can judge legislative acts to be unconstitutional. This means that the Supreme Court can say that a law that the Senate has passed is unconstitutional.
The President of the United States is allowed to issue executive orders without the approval of Congress. These orders however, are subject to judicial review and can be struck down if deemed unconstitutional.
The President of the United States is allowed to issue executive orders without the approval of Congress. These orders however, are subject to judicial review and can be struck down if deemed unconstitutional.