| Martin v. Hunter's Lessee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Argued March 12, 1816 Decided March 20, 1816 | |
| Full case name | Martin, Heir at law and devisee of Fairfax v. Hunter's Lessee |
| Citations | 14 U.S. 304 (more) 1 Wheat. 304; 4 L. Ed. 97; 1816 U.S. LEXIS 333 |
| Case history | |
| Prior | Judgment for defendant, Hunter v. Fairfax's Devisee, Winchester District Court; reversed, 15 Va. 218 (1810); reversed, sub nom. Fairfax's Devisee v. Hunter's Lessee, 11 U.S. 603 (1813); on remand, sub nom. Hunter v. Martin, 18 Va. 1 (1815) |
| Holding | |
| Article Three of the U.S. Constitution grants the U.S. Supreme Court jurisdiction and authority over state courts on matters involving federal law. | |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Story, joined by Washington, Johnson, Livingston, Todd, Duvall |
| Concurrence | Johnson |
| Marshall took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. | |
| Laws applied | |
| U.S. Const. art. III | |
Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, 14 U.S. (1 Wheat.) 304 (1816), was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States decided on March 20, 1816. It was the first case to assert ultimate Supreme Court authority over state courts in civil matters of federal law.
Though Chief Justice John Marshall wrote most of the Supreme Court opinions during his tenure, he did not write this opinion. Marshall instead recused himself, citing a conflict of interest due to his relatives' interest in the property. Justice Joseph Story wrote the decision for a unanimous court.