Sheldon v. Sill
| Quick facts: | |
|---|---|
| Case: | Sheldon v. Sill |
| Date: | February 21, 1850 |
| Outcome: | Reversed |
| Ruling: | Sheldon v. Sill |
| Author: | Robert Cooper Grier |
| Vote Count: | 9-0 |
| Majority Justices: | Taney, McLean, Wayne, Catron, McKinley, Daniel, Nelson, Woodbury |
| Minority Justices: | |
| Court of Origin: | Michigan Circuit Court |
Ψ-Concurring Opinion Author. Ŧ-Dissenting Opinion Author. | |
In Sheldon v. Sill the Supreme Court of the United States reversed the decision of the Michigan Circuit Court. The Supreme Court’s ruling allowed for the restriction of lower courts by the Supreme Court.[1]
Background
Thomas C. Sheldon and his wife Eleanor secured a mortgage in Michigan, where they became citizens of the state on November 1, 1838. The mortgage was signed by the President of the Bank of Michigan, Eurostas P. Hastings, a Michigan citizen. However, on January 3, 1839, Hastings, in agreement with the Board of Directors, sold and transferred the mortgage and all the moneys previously secured to William E. Sill, a New York citizen.[2]
Stakeholders
- Chief Justice: Roger Brooke Taney
- Appellant: Thomas C. Sheldon and Eleanor Sheldon
- Appellee: William E. Sill
Rulings
Supreme Court
Decision: The court ruled unanimously that “Congress, having the power to establish the [lower] courts, may withould from any court of its creation jurisdiction of any of the enumerated controversies.”[1]
Circuit Court
Sill filed a suit against Sheldon to get the money for the bond and mortgage. Sheldon argued that the Circuit Court did not have any jurisdiction in the case because the deed was transferred from one Michigan citizen to another.
Decision: The Court found in favor of the complainant, Sill.[2]
Legacy
This ruling has been consistently applied in Congress, which restricts Article III powers from lower courts. With the Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress created inferior tribunals, which did not hold many powers listed in Article III.[1]
See also
External links
Footnotes
