Identify the case that established the doctrine of judicial review.

Identify the case that established the doctrine of judicial review.

• A. Marbury v. Madison
• B. Plessy v. Ferguson
• C. Roe v. Wade
• D. Miranda v. Arizona

Answer: (A)

Judicial review is the power of the courts to strike down laws and government actions that contradict the Constitution. Marbury v. Madison is the landmark case that established this authority for the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall held that while the Constitution is the supreme law, the judiciary has the job of interpreting that law and deciding when acts of Congress or the executive branch are unconstitutional. This decision came from a dispute over midshipman judges and a writ of mandamus, but its lasting effect was to place the Constitution above conflicting laws and to empower the courts as a check on both the legislature and the presidency. Because of this ruling, the judiciary gained the foundational role of interpreting constitutional limits, shaping how all branches operate within those bounds. The other cases mentioned are known for different topics: Plessy v. Ferguson dealt with racial segregation and the permissible conditions of “separate but equal” facilities; Roe v. Wade addressed abortion rights; Miranda v. Arizona established requirements for informing suspects of their rights. None of these cases established the power of judicial review itself.

Judicial review is the power of the courts to strike down laws and government actions that contradict the Constitution. Marbury v. Madison is the landmark case that established this authority for the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall held that while the Constitution is the supreme law, the judiciary has the job of interpreting that law and deciding when acts of Congress or the executive branch are unconstitutional. This decision came from a dispute over midshipman judges and a writ of mandamus, but its lasting effect was to place the Constitution above conflicting laws and to empower the courts as a check on both the legislature and the presidency. Because of this ruling, the judiciary gained the foundational role of interpreting constitutional limits, shaping how all branches operate within those bounds.

The other cases mentioned are known for different topics: Plessy v. Ferguson dealt with racial segregation and the permissible conditions of “separate but equal” facilities; Roe v. Wade addressed abortion rights; Miranda v. Arizona established requirements for informing suspects of their rights. None of these cases established the power of judicial review itself.