Malcolm Rivera
The constitutional jurisdiction of the federal judiciary in the United States is established by Article III of the Constitution, which outlines the judicial branch as one of the three separate and distinct branches of the federal government. Article III authorises the creation of federal courts with limited jurisdiction, allowing them to decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve cases involving federal laws. The Supreme Court, established by Article III, is the highest court in the nation, with original jurisdiction over a subset of federal cases. Congress has the power to determine the distribution of federal jurisdiction within the federal court system and between federal and state courts, with the ability to expand or restrict it. Diversity jurisdiction allows cases involving citizens of different states to be heard in federal court, while certain subject-specific areas, such as tax, claims against the federal government, and international trade, fall under the jurisdiction of specialised federal trial courts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of justices | 9 (8 associate justices and 1 chief justice) |
| Appointment of justices | Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a life term |
| Jurisdiction | Cases arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States (federal question jurisdiction); controversies between citizens of different states (diversity jurisdiction); admiralty and maritime cases; cases where the United States is a party; controversies between states |
| Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court | A subset of federal cases where litigants can commence the case directly in the Supreme Court |
| Appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court | Cases appealed from lower federal courts or state courts |
| Federal trial courts | Established for subject-specific areas, including bankruptcy, tax, claims against the federal government, and international trade |
| Federal appellate courts | 13 appellate courts or courts of appeals; 12 federal circuits with nationwide jurisdiction over specific issues such as patents |
| Federal district courts | 94 district or trial courts that resolve disputes by determining facts and applying the law |
| Bankruptcy courts | 90 bankruptcy courts to help individuals and businesses unable to pay their debts |
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What You'll Learn
Federal judiciary's power to hear cases
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the judicial branch as one of the three separate and distinct branches of the federal government. The judiciary's power to hear cases is derived from this article, which authorises the creation of federal courts with limited jurisdiction.
Article III, Section 1, known as the Judicial Vesting Clause, confers federal judicial power on a supreme court and such inferior courts as Congress may establish. This clause ensures the existence of a federal Supreme Court but leaves the decision to establish lower federal courts to Congress.
Article III, Section 2, Clause 1, specifies the categories of cases that fall under federal court jurisdiction. These include cases arising under the Constitution, federal laws or treaties (federal question jurisdiction), and controversies between citizens of different states (diversity jurisdiction). Diversity jurisdiction allows a plaintiff from one state to sue a defendant from another state in federal court, provided the "amount in controversy" exceeds $75,000. However, criminal cases are excluded from diversity jurisdiction and can only be brought in state courts.
Additionally, the federal judiciary has jurisdiction over specific subject areas, such as tax, claims against the federal government, and international trade. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals also has nationwide jurisdiction over specialised issues like patents.
Article III, Section 2, Clause 2, grants the Supreme Court original jurisdiction over a subset of federal cases. This means litigants can initiate certain cases directly in the Supreme Court rather than starting in a lower court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation, and its members, known as justices, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for life terms.
Over time, Congress has passed statutes refining the federal courts' jurisdiction within the constitutional framework. The Supreme Court's decisions have also contributed to shaping the rules and doctrines governing federal court jurisdiction.
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Federal court jurisdiction
The US Constitution establishes the judiciary as one of the three distinct branches of the federal government, with the judicial branch having the authority to decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve cases involving federal laws.
Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution, known as the Judicial Vesting Clause, establishes a federal Supreme Court and gives Congress the power to create lower federal courts. Article III, Section 2, Clause 1, authorises the creation of federal courts with limited jurisdiction, with judicial power extending to certain cases and controversies. These include federal question jurisdiction, which covers cases arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the US, and diversity jurisdiction, which applies to controversies between citizens of different states.
The Judiciary Act of 1789 established a Federal Court system, with Congress determining the distribution of federal jurisdiction within and between federal and state courts. Congress has since passed numerous statutes redefining federal court jurisdiction within constitutional limits. The Supreme Court has also established rules and doctrines governing federal court jurisdiction.
Federal trial courts have been established for specific areas, such as bankruptcy, tax, claims against the federal government, and international trade. There are 13 appellate courts, or US courts of appeals, below the Supreme Court, and 94 district or trial courts that apply the law to disputes. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has nationwide jurisdiction over specific issues like patents.
Diversity jurisdiction allows plaintiffs from one state to sue defendants from another in federal court, with the threshold amount in controversy being over $75,000. However, criminal cases cannot be brought under diversity jurisdiction, and double jeopardy does not apply between federal and state courts.
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Federal question jurisdiction
The federal question jurisdiction statute is codified at 28 U.S.C. § 1331, which states that district courts have original jurisdiction of all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. This means that the federal court has the power to hear the case first, before any other court.
For a case to be heard under federal question jurisdiction, the plaintiff's initial complaint must contain references to the federal question and the federal issue evoked. The federal question and issue cannot arise in an anticipated defense, it must be presented from the initial complaint. This is known as a "well-pleaded complaint".
Another test that courts will use to determine federal question jurisdiction is the Grable Test, which asks: does the claim have a "federal ingredient" for federal question jurisdiction under Article III Section 2 of the Constitution? And does the claim meet the requirements for 28 USC 1331 federal question jurisdiction?
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Diversity jurisdiction
The concept of diversity jurisdiction allows a party sued in a foreign state to petition a federal court in that state to take jurisdiction of the case. The rationale is that a federal court in the foreign state would be less inclined to be prejudiced against the out-of-state party. However, for diversity jurisdiction to apply, all defendants must be from out of state.
The requirements for diversity jurisdiction have remained largely unchanged since 1875, but the statute has become increasingly complex. Congress has amended the statute over time, such as through the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (CAFA), which expanded federal courts' jurisdiction over class actions.
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Supreme Court justices
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States, established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution. This article also created the judicial branch as one of the three distinct branches of the federal government, alongside the legislative and executive branches. The judicial branch has the authority to decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve cases involving federal laws.
The Supreme Court is comprised of nine justices, including eight associate justices and one chief justice. The justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a life term. While the Constitution sets no requirements for Supreme Court justices, all current members are lawyers, and most have served as circuit court judges. The chief justice is chosen by the President and approved by Congress, acting as the administrator of the court.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over a subset of federal cases, allowing litigants to commence those cases in the Supreme Court rather than in a state or lower federal court. This jurisdiction was granted by Article III, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution, and is self-executing, meaning Congress does not need to enact legislation to implement it.
The Supreme Court also has appellate jurisdiction, where cases reach the Court on appeal from lower courts. The 13 appellate courts below the Supreme Court are called the U.S. Courts of Appeals, and they determine whether the law was applied correctly in the trial court or federal administrative agency. Cases can be appealed to these courts from the 94 district or trial courts, which resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the judicial branch as one of the three separate and distinct branches of the federal government. Article III, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution authorizes the creation of federal courts with limited jurisdiction. The federal judiciary has the authority to decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve cases involving federal laws, with the Supreme Court having original jurisdiction over a subset of federal cases.
The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the country, with nine justices appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for life. It has original jurisdiction over certain federal cases, meaning litigants can commence those cases in the Supreme Court rather than a lower federal or state court.
The lower federal courts include 13 appellate courts or US courts of appeals, and 94 district or trial courts. The appellate courts determine whether the law was applied correctly in the trial court, while the district courts resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying the law.
Examples of federal trial courts with specific jurisdictions include bankruptcy courts, the United States Tax Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the United States Court of International Trade.
Diversity jurisdiction allows a plaintiff from one state to file a lawsuit in federal court when the defendant is from another state, with the "amount in controversy" exceeding $75,000. This also applies when the defendant seeks to "remove" the case from state court. However, criminal cases cannot be brought under diversity jurisdiction.
