Which landmark case established the principle of judicial review?

Study for the FGCU Civic Literacy Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to prepare confidently. Get ready for your exam!

The principle of judicial review was established by the landmark case Marbury v. Madison. This case, decided in 1803, cemented the power of the Supreme Court to review and invalidate laws and actions that are found to be in conflict with the Constitution. The ruling articulated the role of the Supreme Court as a co-equal branch of government that serves as a check on the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that no law can stand if it contradicts the foundational document of the United States.

In Marbury v. Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall stated that it is "emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is." This established the judiciary's authority to interpret the law and safeguard the Constitution, setting a precedent that has been instrumental in the development of the American legal system. The ability to declare legislation unconstitutional upheld the principle of the rule of law and maintained the balance of power within the federal government.

The other choices, while significant cases in their own right, do not relate to judicial review. For example, Brown v. Board of Education dealt with the desegregation of schools, Roe v. Wade focused on abortion rights, and Miranda v. Arizona addressed the rights of individuals in police custody

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