How the Supreme Court Got into the Business of Striking Down Laws

by Jimmy Akin on February 23, 2012

in +Did You Know?

Did you know? In the case Marbury v. Madison, issued Feb. 24, 1803, the Supreme Court of the United States first struck down a law as unconstitutional, establishing a precedent that would allow the Court to play an increasingly powerful role over American society. LEARN MORE.

{ 3 comments }

jeffdouglas February 25, 2012 at 9:30 am

Testing

jeffdouglas February 25, 2012 at 9:37 am

I like Marbury v. Madison, especially Marshall’s opinion. But I do not think it sets the precedent that people assume it does. If you read Marshall’s opinion, he is clearly establishing the precedent that the Constitution is the final authority. Today the assumption is that Marbury v. Madison established the precedent that the Supreme Court is the final authority.
 
Marbury v. Madison directly refutes so-called “stare decisis” since it is taking the Constitution to be authoritative and not previous precedents.

jeffdouglas February 25, 2012 at 9:38 am

[i]testing[/i]

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