Judiciary Power Flashcards
What is the power of judicial review?
The power to review the constitutionality of federal and state laws and executive acts.
What did Marbury v. Madison decide?
The authority of the ct. to decide that acts of Congress are unconstitutional.
Congress may not amend SCOTUS’s original jurisdiction.
Historical background of Marbury v. Madison
Federalist retrenchment. Lame duck president (Adams) appoints John Marshall as Chief Justice. Federalist Senate passes Circuit Cts Act (16 new judgeships). Jefferson takes office and refuses to deliver appointments.
Could SCOTUS grant Marshall the remedy he sought?
No. §13 of The Judiciary Act (granting SCPTUS the right to hear the case) unconstitutional b/c granted judiciary moe power than Const. allowed. Art III §2 of COnst. defines maximum fed. SMJ.
What was the genius of Marbury?
Case dismissed for lack of jurisdiction but demonstrated that SCOTUS has the right to review acts of Congress.
Congress’s levers of political influence over the Judiciary
budget and appropriation
the size of Supreme Ct
amending Const.
impeachment
President’s levers of political influence over the Judiciary
control over the enforcement of federal law
appointments to the judiciary
What did Fletcher v. Peck decide?
Case decided that SCOTUS can invalidate state law
What did Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee decide?
Case decided the legitimacy of SCOTUS’s review of state court judgments.
§25 of Judiciary Act
Act gave SCOTUS jx when the state resolves a federal question. SCOTUS gets fed appellate jx.
What did VA v. Cohens decide?
Case extended SCOTUS’s authority to review constitutionality of laws and state court judgments to when the state itself was a party.
Why are state laws subject to SCOTUS review?
because in ratifying the constitution, states effectively agreed to subject themselves to the power of Art. III
What Article of the Const gives subjects state laws to SCOTUS review?
Article III
Practical and political constraint on federal judicial power
The judiciary has no way to enforce their decisions.
The Exceptions Clause Art. III, §2, cl 2
Congress can make exceptions to SCOTUS’s appellate jx. The Const. only lists a ceiling to SCOTUS’s jx. “In all cases before mentioned…shall have appellate jx…with such exceptions and under such regulations as Congress shall make.”
What gives Congress authority to create inferior courts?
Article III §1
What gives Congress authority to define the appellate jx of inferior courts?
Article III §2, cl. 2
Over what cases does SCOTUS have original jx?
Cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party.
What did ex Parte McCardle decide?
When restricting the court’s jx, Congress’s intent does not matter. The judiciary may not “inquire into the motives of the legislature.” Congress can make exceptions to cts’ appellate jx, regardless of its motives.
What are some tools the legislature and exec branch can use to restrict the judiciary outside of Art III?
constitutional amendments impeachment of justices C to determine size and timing of SCOTUS selection of process of justices exec enforcement (or lack thereof)
What are some limits on Congress’s exception power?
C may not interfere with the essential/ core functions of SCOTUS
C cannot violate Constitution