What was the Supreme Court's final ruling regarding William Marbury's right to his commission?
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Correct answer: He had legal right to the commission, but the Court could not force its delivery
The Court held that Marbury had a legal right to the commission and that the law provided a remedy. However, it concluded it could not issue the writ of mandamus because the law allowing Marbury to bring his claim directly to the Supreme Court was unconstitutional.
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More Marbury v. Madison questions
- Which legal principle suggests that it is 'emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is'?
- Marbury v. Madison is often cited as a critical example of which constitutional concept in action?
- What would have been the likely outcome if the Supreme Court had ordered Madison to deliver the commission?
- How did the ruling in Marbury v. Madison affect the balance of power between the state and federal governments?
- Before Marbury v. Madison, how was the power of the Supreme Court generally perceived?
- Which of the following best describes the 'Original Jurisdiction' mentioned in the case?