Judiciary Act Of 1789
Judiciary Act of 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789 was a seminal piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress that established the foundation of the federal judiciary of the United States. Enacted on September 24, 1789, during the first session of the First Congress, it was signed into law by President George Washington. The Act created a hierarchical judicial structure and outlined the jurisdiction of the federal courts.
Structure of the Federal Judiciary
The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the Supreme Court of the United States as the highest court in the nation, originally with six justices. It also established district courts and circuit courts. Each state was designated as a judicial district, with a district court presiding over it. The Act provided for the creation of 13 district courts in total.
The circuit courts served as intermediate appellate courts and were to convene in judicial circuits that covered groupings of districts. Circuit courts were presided over by two Supreme Court justices and one district judge. This structure was meant to ensure that federal law was uniformly applied across the United States.
Jurisdiction and Powers
The Judiciary Act of 1789 delineated the jurisdiction of the federal courts, granting them authority over cases involving federal statutes, treaties, and the Constitution of the United States. The Act also allowed the Supreme Court to issue writs of mandamus as part of its jurisdiction, which later became the central issue in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison.
Additionally, the Act introduced the position of the United States Attorney General and established the office of the United States Marshal, delineating their roles and responsibilities in the enforcement of federal law.
Impact and Legacy
The Judiciary Act of 1789 laid the groundwork for the American judiciary system and played a crucial role in shaping the balance of powers among the three branches of government. This Act was integral in defining the operational framework within which the judicial review power developed, particularly through formative cases such as Marbury v. Madison.
The Act has been amended multiple times to accommodate the growing needs of the United States' legal framework, including significant revisions through subsequent statutes such as the Judiciary Act of 1801 and the Judiciary Act of 1869.