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What Are the Key Cases That Shaped Judicial Review in the Supreme Court?

Judicial review is an important concept in the American legal system. It gives the Supreme Court the power to look at laws and actions from the government and decide if they follow the Constitution. This ability has been shaped by some key cases throughout our history. Let’s take a closer look at some of these important cases that show how the Supreme Court uses judicial review.

1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

This case is very important because it created the idea of judicial review. It all started when William Marbury was supposed to be a judge, but he didn’t get his paperwork from the new Secretary of State, James Madison. Marbury asked the Supreme Court to force Madison to give him his paperwork. Chief Justice John Marshall said that Marbury had the right to his paperwork, but the Court couldn't make Madison do it in this case. More importantly, Marshall said that the law Marbury was using was against the Constitution. This showed that the Supreme Court had the power to review and cancel laws that didn’t match the Constitution.

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

In this case, the Supreme Court looked at how power is shared between the federal government and the states. Maryland tried to tax the Second Bank of the United States. Chief Justice Marshall decided that the federal government could create a national bank because it had powers that were suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause. The ruling also made clear that federal laws are stronger than state laws, which means that states cannot tax federal institutions. This case helped define what the federal government can do without interference from the states.

3. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

This important case addressed the issue of segregation in public schools. The Supreme Court ruled that separating students by race in public schools was wrong and went against the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision changed the earlier case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which allowed for “separate but equal” schools. The ruling was a big step forward for the Civil Rights Movement. It showed how the Court protects people’s rights and makes sure that constitutional principles are followed.

4. Roe v. Wade (1973)

In this case, the Supreme Court talked about a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion. The Court said this right is included in the right to privacy found in the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision has had a lasting impact on women’s rights and the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies in the United States. It also shows how the Court interprets the Constitution when dealing with important social issues of the time.

Conclusion

These cases show how judicial review changes over time and highlight the important role the Supreme Court has in interpreting the Constitution. The Court's decisions not only uphold the law but also influence American society by addressing basic rights and how power is balanced in the government. Each case reminds us that the Constitution is a living document, always adjusting to the changing values and needs of our country.

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What Are the Key Cases That Shaped Judicial Review in the Supreme Court?

Judicial review is an important concept in the American legal system. It gives the Supreme Court the power to look at laws and actions from the government and decide if they follow the Constitution. This ability has been shaped by some key cases throughout our history. Let’s take a closer look at some of these important cases that show how the Supreme Court uses judicial review.

1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

This case is very important because it created the idea of judicial review. It all started when William Marbury was supposed to be a judge, but he didn’t get his paperwork from the new Secretary of State, James Madison. Marbury asked the Supreme Court to force Madison to give him his paperwork. Chief Justice John Marshall said that Marbury had the right to his paperwork, but the Court couldn't make Madison do it in this case. More importantly, Marshall said that the law Marbury was using was against the Constitution. This showed that the Supreme Court had the power to review and cancel laws that didn’t match the Constitution.

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

In this case, the Supreme Court looked at how power is shared between the federal government and the states. Maryland tried to tax the Second Bank of the United States. Chief Justice Marshall decided that the federal government could create a national bank because it had powers that were suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause. The ruling also made clear that federal laws are stronger than state laws, which means that states cannot tax federal institutions. This case helped define what the federal government can do without interference from the states.

3. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

This important case addressed the issue of segregation in public schools. The Supreme Court ruled that separating students by race in public schools was wrong and went against the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision changed the earlier case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which allowed for “separate but equal” schools. The ruling was a big step forward for the Civil Rights Movement. It showed how the Court protects people’s rights and makes sure that constitutional principles are followed.

4. Roe v. Wade (1973)

In this case, the Supreme Court talked about a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion. The Court said this right is included in the right to privacy found in the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision has had a lasting impact on women’s rights and the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies in the United States. It also shows how the Court interprets the Constitution when dealing with important social issues of the time.

Conclusion

These cases show how judicial review changes over time and highlight the important role the Supreme Court has in interpreting the Constitution. The Court's decisions not only uphold the law but also influence American society by addressing basic rights and how power is balanced in the government. Each case reminds us that the Constitution is a living document, always adjusting to the changing values and needs of our country.

Related articles