Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee (1816) was a landmark Supreme Court case that established the Court’s power to review decisions of state courts. The case involved a dispute between the heirs of a landowner in Virginia, whose estate had been confiscated by the state, and one of the estate’s tenants, who demanded the estate be restored to him. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the tenant, upholding the tenant’s rights to the estate under the terms of the Constitution.
The Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court unanimously held that the tenant’s rights were constitutionally protected, stating that, under the Constitution, the Supreme Court had the power to review the decisions of state courts. This established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to review cases and declare state laws unconstitutional.
Modern Examples of Judicial Review
The ruling of Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee (1816) can be seen in many decisions made by the Supreme Court today. A recent example is the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), in which the Court held that state bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. The Court’s decision was based on the principle of judicial review established in Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee (1816).
Conclusion
Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee (1816) is an important Supreme Court decision that established the Court’s power to review state court decisions. The principle of judicial review can be seen in many Supreme Court decisions today, including decisions such as Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Together, these decisions provide a powerful reminder of the importance of the rule of law in our society.