Which 1803 Supreme Court decision established the principle of judicial review? A) Roe v. Wade B) Gideon v. Wainwright C) Plessy v. Ferguson D) Marbury v. Madison

What the question is asking

You need the Supreme Court case from 1803 that first confirmed the Court’s power to review laws and strike them down if they conflict with the Constitution.

Identifying the 1803 case

The decision was Marbury v. Madison (1803). In that case, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote that when a law conflicts with the Constitution, the Constitution controls.

What “judicial review” means

Judicial review is the power of the federal courts to evaluate whether a law or government action violates the Constitution and, if it does, to declare it unconstitutional.

Why the other options do not fit

• Roe v. Wade (1973): abortion rights case, not 1803.
• Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): right to an attorney in criminal cases.
• Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): “separate but equal” doctrine, later overturned by Brown v. Board.