Fletcher v. Peck

Definition

Fletcher v. Peck is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1810, which established the principle that state laws could not violate the Constitution. This case was significant as it marked the first time the Supreme Court struck down a state law as unconstitutional, highlighting the power of judicial review in the context of state legislation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fletcher v. Peck arose from a land scandal in Georgia where a fraudulent sale of land was made, leading to a dispute over property rights.
2. The Supreme Court ruled that the Georgia law that rescinded the land grant violated the Contract Clause of the Constitution.
3. This case was a significant step in establishing the judiciary's role as a check on legislative power, asserting that no law can impair existing contracts.
4. The decision underscored the importance of property rights and contractual obligations within American law.
5. Fletcher v. Peck set a precedent for future cases involving judicial review and the limitations on state legislation.

Review Questions

• How did Fletcher v. Peck establish judicial review over state laws?
  • Fletcher v. Peck established judicial review over state laws by demonstrating that the Supreme Court could invalidate state legislation that conflicted with the Constitution. The Court found that Georgia's attempt to repeal a land grant violated the Contract Clause, which led to the ruling that states could not nullify contracts arbitrarily. This case set a significant precedent for the power of judicial review, emphasizing that both federal and state laws must adhere to constitutional principles.
• What role did the Contract Clause play in the outcome of Fletcher v. Peck, and why was it significant?
  • The Contract Clause played a crucial role in the outcome of Fletcher v. Peck as it was central to the Court's ruling that Georgia's law was unconstitutional. By ruling that states cannot interfere with private contracts, this case reinforced the sanctity of contracts and property rights. This significance extends beyond this single case, laying groundwork for future legal interpretations regarding contract enforcement and state interference.
• Evaluate the broader implications of Fletcher v. Peck on state legislative power and individual rights.
  • Fletcher v. Peck had broad implications for state legislative power and individual rights by establishing limits on what states could do regarding contracts and property rights. The ruling reinforced the idea that individual rights are protected from arbitrary state actions, promoting stability in property ownership and contractual agreements. This case laid important groundwork for future judicial decisions that would continue to shape the relationship between state power and individual liberties in America.

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 conflict with constitutional principles.

Contract Clause: A provision in the U.S. Constitution that prohibits states from interfering with private contracts, which was a central issue in Fletcher v. Peck.

Land Grants: Transfers of land ownership often used by states and the federal government for various purposes, including settlement and development, and relevant in the Fletcher v. Peck case concerning land sales.