Chase found not guilty

The Jefferson Administration attempted to counter the power of the Supreme Court by impeaching judges. The first target was a New Hampshire Federalist, who was impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate. In 1803, the House of Representatives began an impeachment trial against Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. The House of Representatives, which was firmly controlled by the Jeffersonian Republicans, voted for impeachment. The Senate was chaired by Vice President Aaron Burr. During the trial, it was established that the only offenses that were impeachable were those indictable as crimes against the United States. Chase was found not guilty. This ended Jefferson's assault against the independent judiciary.