text: what was the cohens vs. virginia case about? i have to write a summary about the arguments on that case, but i can't find any websites with the arguments in plain english. cohens v. virginia  cohens v. virginia, 19 u.s. 264 (1821), was a united states supreme court decision most noted for the marshall court's assertion of its power to review state supreme court decisions in criminal law matters. the court had previously asserted a similar jurisdiction over civil cases in martin v. hunter's lessee, 14 u.s. 304 (1816).  in this case, the cohens were prosecuted successfully by the state of virginia for selling lottery tickets from the district of columbia in virginia, thereby violating virginia state law. the supreme court upheld their convictions.   see also list of united states supreme court cases   references jean edward smith, john marshall: definer of a nation, new york: henry holt & company, 1996.   external links lii: full text of cohens v. virginia  full text of the decision courtesy of findlaw.com