Marbury v. Madison
The Marbury v. Madison case is one of the most influential decisions in constitutional law. It helped to separate the executive and judicial branches in government and define that division.
A quick background of why this occurred had to do with the 1800 election. As Thomas Jefferson entered office in 1801 with his Secretary of State, James Madison. Beforehand, two new judge and justice of the peace commissions from previous president John Adams, were not delivered. Jefferson ordered Madison not to deliver these two commissions. One of the commissions came from William Marbury, a strong supporter of Adams. As the case was brought to the Supreme Court, Madison was not forced to deliver the commissions and Marbury did not acquire the writ of mandamus he requested.
This showed a flaw in the Supreme Court, and its inability to rule over cases like this. Chief Justice John Marshall announced that the Supreme Court had to have the power to void laws that went against the Constitution. He struck down the law and declared the Court's power of judicial review, which is used widely today by the Court to define the law, as is their duty.
