In 1803, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Marbury v. Madison. This old case still holds incredible relevance today, as it established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review and set the precedent for how we govern in the United States. To help business professionals understand this important ruling and how it continues to shape our nation today, we’ll explore the facts of the case and explain what this ruling means to us today.
Background of the Supreme Court Case of Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) was a dispute between William Marbury and Secretary of State James Madison. Marbury had been appointed Justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia by outgoing President John Adams. At that time, the District of Columbia was a semi-autonomous region that was managed by an appointed board of commissioners, and the President was required to sign all commissions for those appointed to the board, including Marbury.
However, when Adams lost the election to President Thomas Jefferson, his Secretary of State, James Madison, failed to deliver Marbury’s commission before a new Secretary of State was appointed under the Jefferson administration. Marbury sued Madison to compel him to deliver the commission.
The Supreme Court’s Ruling in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The Supreme Court had the difficult task of ruling in this case because Jefferson’s administration challenged the authority of the Supreme Court to compel Madison to deliver the commission; this prompted the court to make a decision that would go on to have major implications for U.S. law. The Court ultimately ruled that while Marbury was legally entitled to his commission, the Court did not have the power to compel Madison to deliver the commission, as the section of the Judiciary Act that gave the Supreme Court the power to do so was unconstitutional.
Moreover, this ruling established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, which allows the Court to declare acts of Congress or the President unconstitutional, and ultimately created a system of checks and balances between the executive and judicial branches of government.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) Continues to Influence U.S. Law Today
The Supreme Court’s power of judicial review continues to affect U.S. law today and provides a safety net that prevents the executive branch from interpreting and enforcing the law the way it wants.
For example, in the recent case of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the Supreme Court established a right to marriage equality on the basis of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law for all citizens. This ruling was enabled by the precedent set by Marbury v. Madison (1803) and the power of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to review the law and ensure that everyone is treated fairly and equally under the law.
Conclusion
Marbury v. Madison (1803) was a landmark case that established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review and continues to have relevance in the world of law today. This case set the precedent for how government is operated here in the United States, especially in ensuring that everyone is equally protected under the law regardless of vantage point. It’s a case that should be familiar to all business professionals and one that will continue to shape U.S. law for years to come.