1. Did you know that Jefferson and Marshall were cousins?
Marbury v. Madison
Chief Justice John Marshall
Appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by Adams
Would served 34 years
Influenced the direction of the Supreme Court for years to come
The Marshall Court
During Marshall’s tenure, the Supreme Court would strengthen the federal government at the expense of state’s rights
Did you know that Jefferson and Marshall were cousins?

2. The Judiciary Act of 1801
In a last-minute piece of legislation, the Federalist Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801
Judiciary Act of 1801
Reduces number of Supreme Court Justices from 6 to 5
Reorganizes circuit courts which required 16 new judges be appointed
Adams appoints “midnight judges” during the last 19 days of his presidency
Three are appointed on the last day

3. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Upon taking the oath of office, Jefferson attempted to block these judicial commissions
Jefferson instructed his secretary of state, Madison, not to deliver Adams’ judicial commissions
William Marbury, a judicial appointee, sued under the Judiciary Act of 1789
Argued the Supreme Court could force Madison to turn in the commission
Madison argued the commissions were issued too late
William Marbury

4. Marbury v. Madison (1803) The Ruling Judicial Review
Marbury had the right to his commission
However, the Supreme Court did not have the authority to enforce the commission
The Judiciary Act of 1789 violated the Constitution and should be nullified
Judicial Review
This case establishes the precedent of judicial review
Judicial Review  The Supreme Court could exercise the power to decide whether an act of Congress or the president was constitutional.
Prior to this, the Supreme Court had heard only ten cases; none of which were terribly important