In the Supreme Court case, Marbury vs. Madison, Jefferson may be charged of violating the separation of powers and illegally expanding the power of the executive branch. When Adams appointed his "midnight judges" under the Judiciary Act of 1801, some of the commissions were failed to be delivered. Jefferson, who became president soon after this act, was angry about it. He felt that it was unfair that Adams appointed only strong Federalists to be judges, and was thus harming the judicial system, which would become biased and unfair under these judges. Jefferson proceeded to hold up the commissions signed by Adams.

One appointee, William Marbury, was angry that he would not receive his commission, and he brought the matter...