Marbury Vs. Madison Case

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The 1803 case Marbury v. Madison greatly affected how the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether a court decision is constitutional by using what is now known as judicial review. Although judicial review was never directly mentioned in the Constitution, the Marbury v. Madison decision led to the Supreme Court becoming its own branch, alongside Congress and the executive, in an effort to better the United States government by ensuring separation of powers and the regulation of checks and balances.

In 1800, Thomas Jefferson won the presidential election succeeding John Adams. In his final days in office, Adams appointed several justices of peace, including William Marbury. However, Jefferson ordered James Madison, his Secretary of State, not to