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Cohens v. Virginia Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: Two brothers were convicted in Virginia for selling lottery tickets authorized by Congress for Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court held that it had the authority to review state criminal judgments when a defendant claims a right under federal law, establishing federal judicial power over state courts.
Legal Significance: This landmark case established the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction over state court decisions in both civil and criminal cases involving federal questions, reinforcing federal judicial supremacy under Article III and the Supremacy Clause, even when a state is a party.
Cohens v. Virginia Law School Study Guide
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Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
P.J. and M.J. Cohen were charged and convicted in a Virginia state court for violating a state law that prohibited the sale of lottery tickets. As their defense, the Cohens argued that their sale of tickets for the “National Lottery” was protected by an act of Congress authorizing the Corporation of the City of Washington, D.C., to conduct such a lottery to fund public improvements. The Virginia court upheld the conviction, finding the state law valid despite the federal statute. The court that rendered the judgment was the highest state court with jurisdiction over the case. The Cohens appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on a writ of error, contending that the Virginia law was unconstitutional because it conflicted with a valid federal law. Virginia moved to dismiss the writ, arguing that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction because: (1) a state was a party, which required original, not appellate, jurisdiction; (2) the Eleventh Amendment barred suits against a state; and (3) the Court had no appellate power over state criminal proceedings.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does the Supreme Court have appellate jurisdiction under Article III and Section 25 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 to review a state court’s final judgment in a criminal case where the defendant asserts a right or defense under federal law, even when a state is a party to the case?
Yes. The Court held that it possesses appellate jurisdiction over the final Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur s
IRAC Legal Analysis
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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Does the Supreme Court have appellate jurisdiction under Article III and Section 25 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 to review a state court’s final judgment in a criminal case where the defendant asserts a right or defense under federal law, even when a state is a party to the case?
Conclusion
Cohens v. Virginia solidified the Supreme Court's role as the ultimate arbiter Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco la
Legal Rule
The appellate jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court extends to all cases Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do e
Legal Analysis
Chief Justice Marshall, writing for a unanimous Court, forcefully rejected Virginia's challenge Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nis
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over state court judgments in