The passage below is from the Supreme Court decision, Marbury v. Madison (1803).
It is . . . [the] duty of the judicial [branch] to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases must . . . interpret that rule. . .
So, if a law [conflicts with] the Constitution, . . . the Court must either decide that case [in favor of] the law, disregarding the Constitution, or [in favor of] the Constitution, disregarding the law . . . This is of the very essence of judicial duty.
What conclusion did the Court reach to solve the problem identified in the passage?
It could choose to follow either the law or the Constitution.
It had to come up with a new law of its own.
It must strike down any law that contradicts the Constitution.
It should follow the law because it was more recent.