c) Judicial review

Marbury v. Madison, a landmark Supreme Court case in 1803, established the principle of judicial review, fundamentally shaping the American legal system. This decision, delivered by Chief Justice John Marshall, asserted the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional, thus checking the powers of the other branches of government. The case arose from a dispute over the appointment of William Marbury as a justice of the peace. The ruling did not grant Marbury his commission but established a broader principle of judicial authority. This pivotal moment enhanced the role of the judiciary in American democracy, ensuring a balance of power among the branches of government.