The Supreme Court: Our Founding Fathers' Vision

The US Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the country and acts as the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Article III of the Constitution, which establishes the federal judiciary, states that The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. This article also authorizes Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government, ensuring that each branch of government recognizes its limits and protecting civil rights and liberties. It has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between states or cases involving ambassadors, and appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case involving constitutional or federal law. The Court's power of judicial review allows it to declare acts of Congress or the Executive in violation of the Constitution, as established in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).

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The US Supreme Court

> "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."

Article III, Section II establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, which has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. The Court also has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.

The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. As the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Its power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power and protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. The Court also sets limits on democratic government, ensuring that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm or take undue advantage of unpopular minorities.

The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They typically hold office for life, and their salaries cannot be decreased during their term. The first Congress established the Supreme Court through the Judiciary Act, which was signed by President Washington on September 24, 1789. This Act created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system.

Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It was established by Article III of the US Constitution, which also authorized Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. Article III, Section I of the Constitution states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."

Article III, Section II of the Constitution establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, i.e., its legal ability to hear a case. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls. This means that these cases may be filed directly with the Supreme Court rather than reaching it on appeal from another court. The Supreme Court has rarely exercised its jurisdiction over foreign officials, instead focusing largely on resolving disputes between state governments.

The Court also has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. This includes cases to which the United States is a party, cases involving treaties, and cases involving ships on the high seas and navigable waterways (admiralty cases). When exercising its appellate jurisdiction, the Court has the discretion to decide whether or not to hear a case.

The Supreme Court's best-known power is its judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. This power was established in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803, where the Court had to decide whether an Act of Congress or the Constitution was the supreme law of the land. The Supreme Court also has the authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution.

Federal judiciary

The federal judiciary of the United States is established by Article III of the Constitution. Article III, Section I states:

> "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."

Article III thus establishes the Supreme Court and authorises Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower federal courts. The Judiciary Act of 1789 created a Supreme Court with six justices, as well as a lower federal court system. Over the years, the number of seats on the Supreme Court has varied from five to ten; since shortly after the Civil War, there have been nine justices, including one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It also has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case involving a point of constitutional or federal law. The Court's most well-known power is judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution.

The federal court system also includes 94 district or trial courts, which are called U.S. district courts. District courts resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying the law to those facts. There are also 90 U.S. bankruptcy courts, which help people and businesses that cannot pay their debts get a "fresh start". There are 13 appellate courts, called U.S. courts of appeals, which sit below the Supreme Court. These courts determine whether the law was applied correctly in the trial court or federal administrative agency.

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Federal court system

The Federal Court System in the United States is established by Article III of the Constitution, which also created the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and is the final arbiter for those seeking justice. It is also responsible for ensuring that the other branches of government recognise the limits of their power and that civil rights and liberties are protected. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and appellate jurisdiction over almost all other cases involving constitutional or federal law.

The Constitution permits Congress to decide how to organise the Supreme Court and to establish a system of lower courts. Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system. Today, there are nine justices on the Supreme Court: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

Below the Supreme Court are 13 appellate courts, known as the U.S. Courts of Appeals. These courts determine whether the law was correctly applied in the trial court or federal administrative agency. There are also 94 district or trial courts, called U.S. district courts, which resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying the law. Federal magistrate judges are appointed by the district court and may oversee certain criminal and civil cases, issue warrants, and conduct initial hearings.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the U.S. Tax Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims are examples of courts that have been established to deal with appeals on specific subjects. Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases authorised by the Constitution or federal statutes.

Judicial review

Article III of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. This article also authorises Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and is the court of last resort for those seeking justice.

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but was established by the Court in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803). Judicial review refers to the Court's ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. In the Marbury v. Madison case, the Court had to decide whether an Act of Congress or the Constitution was the supreme law of the land. The Court held that an Act of Congress that is contrary to the Constitution could not stand, as Article VI of the Constitution establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review is essential for ensuring that each branch of the government recognises its own limits. It also plays a crucial role in protecting civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. The Court's decisions have a significant impact on society, as they help maintain the fundamental values common to all Americans, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and due process of law.

The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It also has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case involving a point of constitutional or federal law. The Court's appellate jurisdiction allows it to hear cases on appeal from lower courts, and it can decide whether to hear a case by granting a "writ of certiorari".

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