Marbury V. Madison: The Most Important Cases In The United States

Words: 926
Pages: 4

Marbury v. Madison is seen as one of the most important cases in the United States that had set certain important landmarks and changes in the judiciary branch. The case was brought in front of the US Supreme Court with John Marshall as Chief Justice.

The case came in front of the US Supreme Court by a petition from William Marbury. In the petition, he demanded his role as a Justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia, which was granted to him by President John Adams on his last days in the office as President. Once John Adams and his colleagues, including the Secretary of State stepped off, they had forgotten the commission in a desk at the office. On the 4th of March, 1801 Thomas Jefferson stepped in the office as the new President of the United States, he ordered the new administrations’ Attorney General and acting Secretary of State to not deliver any appointments, until James Madison, the new Secretary of State had taken his seat. The plaintiff, Marbury held Madison responsible for not delivering the commission, Marburys’ main argument he presented to the US Supreme court was that he had the right to be appointed as a justice of the peace and he believed that the law was on his side to defend him in the presented argument.
…show more content…
The judges included Chief of Justice John Marshall, William Paterson, Samuel Chase and Bushrod Washington. The judges made clear in their unanimous decision that they were on the same page with each other, as the unanimous vote was 4-0. This decision that was taken by John Marshall had a huge impact on matters such as the judicial review for