In the case of Marbury v. Madison Chief Justice John Marshall utilized his power in a legal but cunning way to alter the balance of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Justice Marshall used his opinion in the courts to manipulate the Constitution, creating what we know as judicial review. Because the Constitution does not explicitly state what judicial review is Justice Marshall is known for creating it. In an effort to resolve the case, Justice Marshall answered three questions supported by strong arguments. The wide acceptance of his doctrine created judicial review-- the Supreme Court’s ability to uphold or deny the constitutionality of congressional or executive actions.
Stillion (2007) notes,
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Marshall used common ideas to hold off on granting the mandamus while simultaneously criticizing the branches of government. Marshall begins his argument by accommodating the known power of the executive and legislative branches as well as individual rights. He then transitioned towards the rights of individuals and the Constitution. Finally, the divinity of the Constitution allowed for a distinction between government power and individual rights, which provided the Supreme Court’s final decision in the …show more content…
Issuing Marbury the commission was the only remedy and appropriate course of action. The only question that remained was, did the Supreme Court have the power to issue Marbury the writ? Marshall used Section 13 of the Judicial Act of 1789 to demonstrate how the Constitution gave the court power to issue writs of mandamus. Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution stated that the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in "all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be a Party" (Stillion, 2007, p. 13). Original jurisdiction—the power to hear cases directly in the Supreme Court—was the only matter addressed by the Constitution itself. Marshall interpreted that granting Marbury a writ of mandamus under the Judicial Act of 1789 was unconstitutional because it violated the Constitution’s limited grant of original jurisdiction to the Court in Article III, Section 2. McBride (2006) notes, “And when an act of Congress is in conflict with the Constitution, it is, Marshall said, the obligation of the Court to uphold the Constitution because, by Article VI, it is the "supreme law of the land." (para. 4). Through savvy argumentation Justice Marshall exerted the power of the court through what is now known as judicial
In regards to Maryland's argument of state sovereignty, Chief Justice Marshall argued that the Constitution is "an instrument of the people". Although, it was ratified by the state conventions it is for the people, not the states. Lastly, Marshall stated that "the power to tax involves the power to destroy", which was a direct attack to the federal government. There were no concurrent opinions written for this
However, since these individuals were designated these jobs so last minute they were never truly finalized and the commissions were never handed out officially. James Madison, whom was Thomas Jefferson’s secretary of state, denied delivering their commissions. Marbury argued that they deserved these places and sued for their jobs in the Supreme
BRIEF MARBURY v. MADISON Supreme Court of the United States, 1803 5 U.S. 137 FACTS: President John Adams appointed William Marbury as a justice of the peace in the District of Columbia towards the end of his term under the Organic Act. With an attempt to take control of the federal judiciary, the documents were signed and sealed; however, the documents weren’t delivered before President John Adams’ term ended. Subsequently, Secretary of State, James Madison, was to deliver the commission; however, newly elected, President Thomas Jefferson, refused to recognize the appointment. President Thomas Jefferson claimed the commission was invalid and advised James Madison to disregard.
59. Marbury v. Madison is the most important case in Supreme Court history, was the first U.S. Supreme Court case to apply the principle of "judicial review" the power of federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution. The facts surrounding Marbury were complicated. In the election of 1800, the newly organized Democratic - Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson defeated the Federalist party of John Adams, creating an atmosphere of political panic for the lame duck Federalists. 60.
Rehnquist argues that Marshall saw the constitution, not only as a document, but as a “charter” that represented the will of the people (O’Brien 166). However, the argument made by Rehnquist reinforces Marshall’s interpretation of judicial review as the will of the majority. By comparison, Judge William Justice takes a different approach from Rehnquist on the interpretation of Judicial review. Judge Justice argues that Hamilton’s intention was for the court to be a “bulwark” against “Majoritarian excesses,” (O’Brien 181) so as to protect against the tyranny of the majority. Likewise, Hamilton saw the same principle of the court as a “bulwark” against congress.
Not letting anytime past, Marbury went ahead and applied for a writ of mandamus to refute Jefferson’s decision. Marbury irritated and impatient went straight to the Supreme Court of the United States in effort to gain his well-earned position in government.
John Marshall’s Supreme Court hearings had a positive effect on the United States. From court cases like McCulloch v. Maryland, declared that the federal courts could decide if state laws were unconstitutional. The McCulloch v. Maryland trial went to the supreme court because Maryland had put a tax in place that too 2% of all assets of the bank or a flat rate of $30,000. John Marshall saw this tax as unconstitutional for the simple fact that people were being denied their property under the state legislature. From the Gibbons v. Ogden case, congress’s power over interstate commerce was strengthened.
His “midnight judges” were able to shape a strong government into modern day society. It was the single most important thing he achieved due to the long lasting affect his actions had. His choices led to a deeper understanding of judicial review because of John Marshall’s analysis of the Constitution. The government was also able to control much of the economy through the Second Bank of the United States. The Works Cited Alcorn, J. “John Marshall.”
He expanded the power of the Supreme Court by declaring that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and that the Supreme Court Justices were the final deciders. In the Marbury vs. Madison case, Marshall wrote "It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.” John Marshall was clearly in favor of judicial power, and believed that the Supreme Court should have the final say in cases involving an interpretation of the Constitution. While establishing this, he kept the separation of powers in mind, as he wanted equal representation among the Judicial, Executive, and Legislative branches. In the Marbury vs. Madison, John Marshall declared that the Judicial Branch could not force Madison to deliver the commission.
So Marshall denied the petition and refused to issue the writ. In section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 it notes that writs can indeed be issued, but that particular section of the act was not consistent with the Constitution, making it invalid. I believe that John Marshall implemented this final decision because it was first of all highly appropriate, as well as it more or less was a good solution for both parties. Yes, Marbury deserved to have his commission but the lawsuit was not necessarily an appropriate way to go about receiving it. Marshall knew that if he were going to protect the power of the Supreme Court then he would have to declare the act
One of these justices that were appointed was William Marbury. The
The Supreme Court priorities from the time period of 1790 to 1865 were establishing the Judiciary Act of 1789, which was instrumental in founding the Federal Court System. The framers believed that establishing a National Judiciary was an urgent and important task. After the installation of Chief Justice John Marshall who “used his dominance to strengthen the court 's position and advance the policies he favored” (Baum 20). However, in the decision of the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803 was an example of the power he exuded “in which the Court struck down a Federal statute for the first time” (Baum 20). This created some internal conflict between Marshall and President Thomas Jefferson, however Marshall was able to diffuse this with
I have heard of the Marbury v. Madison case, when I was in my high school civil and criminal rights class. Giving the court the power to make a law unconstitutional, is their power of checks and balances on the legislative branch. Conversely, the courts have the power to also veto the bill, which makes it much harder for it to pass. For the bill to still pass if vetoed, Congress must have a two-thirds vote from all members. In the Marbury v. Madison case it gave the judicial branch the power of judicial review.
Justice Thurgood Marshall Response Justice Thurgood Marshall said in his “Reflections on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution”, “I do not believe the meaning of the Constitution was forever ‘fixed’ at the Philadelphia Convention. Nor do I find the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice exhibited by the framers particularly profound. To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, that we hold as fundamental as today” (Marshall). In this passage of his essay, Judge Marshall is critical of the government that is
Madison court case that took place in 1803. The law that was declared by the Supreme Court at this hearing was that a court has the power to declare an act of Congress void if it goes against the Constitution. This case took place because President John Adams had appointed William Marbury as justice of the peace in the District of Columbia, and the new president, Thomas Jefferson, did not agree with this decision. William Marbury was not appointed by the normal regulation, which was that the Secretary of State, James Madison, needed to make a notice of the appointment. James Madison did not follow through and make a notice of Marbury’s appointment; therefore, he sued James Madison, which was where the Supreme Court came in place.