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Cases that Shaped the Federal Courts

Defining the Judiciary - Cases establishing what it means for a federal court to exercise “the judicial power.”

Federal Jurisdiction - Cases establishing the power of federal courts to hear certain types of controversies.

Federalism - Cases framing the relationship between federal court power and states’ rights.

Habeas Corpus - Cases establishing the scope, availability, and importance of the “great writ of liberty.”

Judicial Independence - Cases preserving judges’ insulation from political influence and outside interference.

Judicial Review - Cases establishing the federal courts’ authority to determine the constitutionality of legislation.

Justiciability - Cases determining whether certain controversies are appropriate for judicial resolution.

Non-Adjudicatory Roles of Federal Judges - Cases setting the parameters of judges’ work outside the context of traditional courtroom litigation.

Remedies - Cases outlining federal courts’ powers to resolve disputes and restore parties’ rights.