Brief Fact Summary. McCardle, a newspaper editor arrested for writing articles critical of Reconstruction, petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States (United States) for a writ of habeas corpus. McCardle argued the Military Reconstruction Act (the Act) and his prosecution were unconstitutional.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. Congress, by repealing the United State Supreme Court’s (Supreme Court) appellate review of writs of habeas corpus, effectively took jurisdiction over McCardle’s case away from the Supreme Court.
Issue. Does the Act of Congress repealing Supreme Court appellate review of habeas writs remove jurisdiction in McCardle’s case?
Held. Yes. Case dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is not conferred by Congress. However, the Constitution confers jurisdiction “with such exceptions and under such regulations as Congress shall make.”
Due to the constitutional authorization, the repeal of jurisdiction is valid.
And this is not less clear upon authority than upon principle.
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