Judicial Review

Supreme Court Case: Marbury v. Madison (1803)

• The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 to be unconstitutional.

• THEREFORE, the act was declared invalid.

• Marbury v. Madison established the power of judicial review

• Judicial Review - the power of federal courts to decide whether an act of Congress is constitutional or unconstitutional.

• Today, judicial review is one of the most important powers of the Supreme Court.

John Marshall (1755-1835) By Hiram Powers (1805-1873) Marble, 1840 Size: 33" h. Catalog No. 21.00014 S-141, Old Supreme Court Chamber, U.S. Senate Collection, Office of the Senate Curator