Probably the most important court case in American history, Marbury v. Madison was a groundbreaking decision that set an unprecedented precedent compared to any other court case. This case, which concerned the midnight appointment of Marbury as judge, is more important in its effects than the actual sentence. He established the incredibly important judicial review; the power of the Supreme Court to declare acts of congress unconstitutional and to balance the judiciary with the other branches. Marbury v. Madison, the most important American court case, began with the election of 1800. Jefferson defeated Adams, the current president and federalist. Adams in return appointed 42 justices of the peace and 16 new circuit court judges for the District of Columbia under the Organic Act on the last day of his presidency. Jefferson considered these commissions invalid since they were issued after Adams' term expired. He ordered Secretary of State James Madison not to hand over the nominations. Marbury, an appointee, then petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus, or legal order, ordering Madison to give...