Cohens v. Virginia

Definition

Cohens v. Virginia was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1821 that established the principle that the Supreme Court has the authority to review state court decisions. This case arose when the Cohens brothers were convicted in Virginia for selling lottery tickets, which was legal in other states. The decision reinforced federal supremacy over state laws and the power of the judiciary, highlighting tensions during the era characterized by the rise of political parties and shifting federal-state relations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The case stemmed from a dispute over the legality of lottery tickets sold by the Cohens brothers in Virginia, despite them being legal in other states.
2. Cohens v. Virginia affirmed that the Supreme Court has the right to review state court decisions, thereby reinforcing its authority.
3. The ruling highlighted the conflict between state and federal powers, a key issue during the rise of political parties and early American governance.
4. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote the opinion for the Court, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong federal judiciary.
5. This case set a precedent for future cases involving state laws and their relationship with federal authority, further shaping American legal principles.

Review Questions

• How did Cohens v. Virginia establish the Supreme Court's role in reviewing state court decisions, and what implications did this have for federal authority?
  • Cohens v. Virginia established that the Supreme Court could review decisions made by state courts, which was significant for reinforcing federal authority over state laws. The ruling confirmed that no state could legislate contrary to federal laws or engage in practices that contradicted national statutes. This case set an important precedent for future judicial reviews, asserting that federal law holds supremacy over conflicting state legislation.
• Discuss how the outcome of Cohens v. Virginia reflects the tensions between federalism and states' rights during this period in American history.
  • The outcome of Cohens v. Virginia reflects ongoing tensions between federalism and states' rights by affirming the Supreme Court's ability to overrule state decisions that conflict with federal law. This case underscored the struggle for power between state governments seeking autonomy and the federal government aiming to maintain uniformity across states. The ruling played a crucial role in defining the limits of state authority and emphasized that states could not infringe upon rights protected by federal law.
• Evaluate how Cohens v. Virginia contributed to shaping future Supreme Court rulings regarding the balance of power between state and federal authorities.
  • Cohens v. Virginia significantly shaped future Supreme Court rulings by establishing a clear framework for judicial review concerning state actions. This case laid down principles that would be cited in later decisions, emphasizing that federal law is supreme and that states cannot act independently if their actions violate federal statutes. As such, it contributed to an evolving understanding of judicial authority within federalism, leading to more robust interpretations of federal power in subsequent cases like McCulloch v. Maryland.

Related terms

Judicial Review:

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, allowing them to invalidate laws that contradict it.

Federalism:

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states.

McCulloch v. Maryland:

An important Supreme Court case in 1819 that confirmed the supremacy of federal law over state law and affirmed Congress's implied powers under the Constitution.