Martin v Hunter's Lessee Legal Facts

Questions and Answers

Which of the following were facts in the Martin v Hunter's Lessee case? (Select all that apply)

Virginia seized land of British subjects during the Revolutionary War. (correct)

King Charles II granted Lord Fairfax an estate in Virginia. (correct)

Denny Martin inherited the estate. (correct)

John Marshall wrote the opinion for the Supreme Court.

The appellate power of the United States does not extend to cases pending in state courts.

False

What are the two primary questions raised in the Martin v Hunter's Lessee case?

Does the Supreme Court have power to assert appellate jurisdiction over a decision by the highest court of a state based on an interpretation of federal law? Is section 25 of the Judiciary Act constitutional?

Judicial ______ refers to the power of courts to review laws and actions for constitutionality.

Review Signup and view all the answers

Appellate jurisdiction must extend to state tribunals according to the reasoning in the case.

True Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Appellate Jurisdiction = The power of a higher court to review decisions of lower courts Judicial Review = The ability of the Supreme Court to invalidate laws and actions that violate the Constitution State Courts = Courts that handle laws and disputes under state jurisdiction Federal Law = Laws enacted by the United States Congress under the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Case Background

King Charles II granted land in Virginia to Lord Fairfax.
Estate passed to Lord Fairfax's nephew, Denny Martin.
During the Revolutionary War, Virginia confiscated land from British subjects.
A Virginia law was enacted posthumously prohibiting aliens from inheriting land.
Virginia allocated approximately 800 acres of the Fairfax estate to David Hunter.
Thomas Martin, Denny's brother and a Virginia citizen, attempted to reclaim the land from Hunter.
John Marshall, along with his brother, purchased the disputed property prior to the legal battle.
In 1810, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hunter, prompting an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Marshall recused himself due to a conflict of interest; Justice Story authored the Court's opinion.

Legal Questions

Can the Supreme Court exercise appellate jurisdiction over decisions made by state courts regarding federal law?
Is section 25 of the Judiciary Act constitutional?

Legal Holdings

The Supreme Court has the authority to extend its appellate power to cases in state courts.

Legal Reasoning

The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction is not limited by the type of court; it derives from the case itself, rather than the court.
The Constitution allows for appellate jurisdiction over state courts, as part of an established judicial system.
The framers of the Constitution anticipated circumstances where the Supreme Court would need to address issues originating in state courts.
Judicial review is necessary to ensure consistent legal interpretations across the United States.

Conclusion

The significance of judicial review is underscored, reinforcing its role in maintaining uniformity in legal decisions nationwide.

Description

Explore the pivotal facts surrounding the Supreme Court case Martin v. Hunter's Lessee. The case involved land ownership disputes resulting from colonial-era grants and Virginia's laws during the Revolutionary War. This quiz will help you understand the historical context and legal implications of the case.