The US Constitution after Marbury vs Madison The Marbury vs Madison, or William Marbury versus James Madison, is a case that helped the US constitution reach a very important decision in its history and it is arguably a landmark case which helped to form a baseline for the exercise of judicial power under Article III. Some call it the most popular case in the history of the US. What started out as minor argument about jobs took a turn and converted into a legal decision. The decision in Marbury v. Madison is a very important one because it helped give more power to the judicial branch and to clearly establish the courts power of judicial review. The case also helped to establish boundaries between the executive and judicial branches of US
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During the election of the 1800s, Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams and just before Adams left the office he appointed several judges. By making these, “midnight appointments,” Adam had tried to put some Federalists into vacant positions at the very last minute. (The American Yawp, Chapter 6). These judges were known as the midnight judges and Adam did it because he wanted his governmental power to stay after he left the office. President Jefferson took the office on March 5 and he ordered his Secretary of State not to deliver those commissions. This is where the bickering started. William Marbury, one of the appointed judges, filed a petition against the Supreme Court for a legal order against Madison to give a reason as to why Marbury did not receive his commission. (Alex McBride, 1) The case has had a great impact on the American Judicial system ever since. It established the Supreme Court’s power and legitimacy as a co-equal branch of government (McBride) and shed light on the importance of judicial …show more content…
While Marbury never got his deserved commission, the Court’s ruling set a very important precedent for the American judicial system. Without the case, the Supreme Court would have been a lifeless authority with no real power. It also shed very deserved light on the importance of judicial review, in other words, gave the supreme court the power and authority that it needed to have the final say when the situation involves legality. Throughout its long history, when the Court needed to affirm its legitimacy, it has cited Marshall's opinion in Marbury v. Madison. (McBride,
During the election of the 1800s, Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams and just before Adams left the office he appointed several judges. By making these, “midnight appointments,” Adam had tried to put some Federalists into vacant positions at the very last minute. (The American Yawp, Chapter 6). These judges were known as the midnight judges and Adam did it because he wanted his governmental power to stay after he left the office. President Jefferson took the office on March 5 and he ordered his Secretary of State not to deliver those commissions. This is where the bickering started. William Marbury, one of the appointed judges, filed a petition against the Supreme Court for a legal order against Madison to give a reason as to why Marbury did not receive his commission. (Alex McBride, 1) The case has had a great impact on the American Judicial system ever since. It established the Supreme Court’s power and legitimacy as a co-equal branch of government (McBride) and shed light on the importance of judicial …show more content…
While Marbury never got his deserved commission, the Court’s ruling set a very important precedent for the American judicial system. Without the case, the Supreme Court would have been a lifeless authority with no real power. It also shed very deserved light on the importance of judicial review, in other words, gave the supreme court the power and authority that it needed to have the final say when the situation involves legality. Throughout its long history, when the Court needed to affirm its legitimacy, it has cited Marshall's opinion in Marbury v. Madison. (McBride,