Fact Check: The U.S. Supreme Court Has the Authority to Review State Laws
What We Know
The U.S. Supreme Court's authority to review state laws is grounded in the Constitution. Article III, Section 2, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction "both as to Law and Fact" in cases where a state is a party. This includes the ability to review decisions made by state courts, particularly when those decisions involve federal law or constitutional issues (source-1).
The statute that governs this review process is 28 U.S.C. § 1257, which allows the Supreme Court to review final judgments from the highest court of a state in cases arising under the Constitution or federal laws (source-3). The Supreme Court has established that it may only review final state court judgments, which must be the last word on the matter without further review by any other state tribunal (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. Supreme Court has the authority to review state laws is supported by constitutional text and legal precedent. The Constitution explicitly grants the Supreme Court the power to hear cases involving state laws when they intersect with federal law or constitutional issues. This is not merely a theoretical power; the Court has exercised this authority numerous times throughout its history.
For instance, in cases like Cohens v. Virginia (1821), the Supreme Court asserted its right to review state court decisions, reinforcing its role in the federal judicial system (source-1). Furthermore, the Court has developed a series of exceptions and rules regarding when it will intervene in state court decisions, emphasizing the importance of federal issues being adequately presented in state courts (source-1).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they come from established legal texts and reputable legal analyses. The constitutional provisions and statutes cited are foundational to the U.S. legal system and are widely accepted in legal scholarship.
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. Supreme Court has the authority to review state laws is True. This authority is explicitly provided for in the U.S. Constitution and is supported by statutory law and judicial precedent. The Supreme Court's role in reviewing state court decisions is a critical aspect of maintaining the balance between state and federal law, particularly in cases involving constitutional rights.