Cohens v. Virginia (1821)
P.J. and M.J. Cohen were found guilty by the Virginia courts for illegally selling national lottery tickets; they appealed to the highest tribunal, to Chief Justice Marshall's court. The Cohens were again found to be guilty of the charges, but most importantly, this landmark case gave the U.S. Supreme Court power and legitimacy under the Constitution to review the rulings of lower courts in all matters involving the powers, statutes, decisions and actions of the federal government.
The Full Supreme Court Opinion
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