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Supreme Court Case: Plessy V. Ferguson

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In Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court was dealing with the principle of a court declaring “an act of Congress void if it is inconsistent with the Constitution.” Marbury asked the Supreme Court to issue a “writ of mandamus” (an order from a court to compel a judicial/government officer to fulfill their duty to the petitioner) towards James Madison. John Marshall (chief justice) denied Marbury’s writ of mandamus. The Supreme Court did not have the authority to exercise its original jurisdiction over the case.

Questions:
1. Did Marbury have the right to the commission?
2. If he did, and his right had been violated, did the law provide him with remedy?
3. Is Marbury entitled to mandamus from the Supreme Court?

Decision:
4-0; Unanimously, the court ruled that Madison did not have to deliver the commission to Marbury. The court explained that Marbury had the right to receive his commission, but they were not allowed to force Madison into delivering …show more content…
Ferguson
(1896)
Petitioner: Homer Adolph Plessy
Respondent:
John Ferguson
Facts:
This case dealt with the “separate but equal” doctrine and racial segregation. African-American Homer Plessy refused to sit in the “blacks only” train car. His decision to remain seated in the “white section” of the train led to him being charged with “violating the Separate Car Act. This Act was established in 1890, with the intention that all railroads had to provide “equal but separate accommodations” for white and black passengers. Plessy argued that his arrest violated the 13th amendment (prohibits slavery) as well as the 14th amendment (equal rights to all citizens)

Questions: Is Louisiana’s law mandating racial segregation on the trains an unconstitutional infringement on the privileges and immunities as well as equal protection clause of the 14th amendment?

Is Louisiana’s law mandating racial segregation on trains an unconstitutional infringement on the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment?

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