the marbury v madison case took place in 1803, and was a result of a petition to the supreme court by william marbury because his commission was not delivered. marbury petitioned the supreme court to force james madison (the secretary of state at the time) to deliver the documents. the supreme court found james madison's actions illegal and correctible but stopped short of forcing james madison to give marbury's commission to them becauses they found marbury coming to the supreme court about this issue unconstitutional. therefore the petition was denied.
