USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Thomas Jefferson withheld from William Marbury a judgeship commission that had been formalized in the last days of the preceding John Adams administration but not delivered before Jefferson’s inauguration.

Detailed explanation-2: -William Marbury had been appointed Justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia, but his commission was not delivered. Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the new Secretary of State, James Madison, to deliver the documents.

Detailed explanation-3: -With his decision in Marbury v. Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall established the principle of judicial review, an important addition to the system of “checks and balances” created to prevent any one branch of the Federal Government from becoming too powerful.

Detailed explanation-4: -On February 24, 1803, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous 4–0 decision against Marbury. The Court’s opinion was written by Chief Justice John Marshall, who structured the Court’s opinion around a series of three questions it answered in turn: First, did Marbury have a right to his commission?