First decision by the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional.
At the very end of his term, President John Adams had made many federal appointments, including William Marbury as justice of the peace in the District of Columbia.
Thomas Jefferson, the new president, refused to recognize the appointment of Marbury.
The normal practice of making such appointments was to deliver a "commission," or notice, of appointment. This was normally done by the Secretary of State. Jefferson's Secretary of State at the time was James Madison.
At the direction of Jefferson, Madison refused to deliver Marbury's commission. Marbury sued Madison, and the Supreme Court took the case.
Chief Justice John Marshall wrote that the Judiciary Act of 1789, which spelled out the practice of delivering such commissions for judges and justices of the peace, was unconstitutional because it the gave the Supreme Court authority that was denied it by Article III of the Constitution. Thus, the Supreme Court said, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was illegal and not to be followed.
This was the first time the Supreme Court struck down a law because it was unconstitutional. It was the beginning of the practice of "judicial review."
Which part don't you understand?
well i don't understand the purpose of the thing are they just fighting for the spot or i don't really understand the topic i just need to understand what it is means so i can have a clearer view on what the case was about
Do you understand the first sentence?
"First decision by the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional. "
How would you summarize the second sentence? Be sure to include President Adams, William Marbury and justice of the peace.
doe sit mean that its not a legal law of the Constitution??
Yes. The law is wrong because the Constitution doesn't allow it.
so basically it talk about how the law is wrong because it not legal and their fighting to see who wins whether its the person who think it is constitutional or not
Yes. But the Supreme Court has the last word about whether a law is constitutional.
so what is the law they were arguing about??
i know now that the supreme court has the last word but who won??
Judiciary Act of 1789, which spelled out the practice of delivering such commissions for judges and justices of the peace, was unconstitutional because it the gave the Supreme Court authority that was denied it by Article III of the Constitution.
the Supreme Court said, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was illegal and not to be followed.