Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison (1803) was a landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional. It arose when William Marbury was denied his appointment as a justice by Secretary of State James Madison. Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court to compel Madison to deliver his commission. The Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled that while Marbury had a right to his commission, the law allowing the Court to hear his case was itself unconstitutional. This decision affirmed the judiciary's role in interpreting the law and checking government power.