Simone Lawson
Article III of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch, outlining the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and guaranteeing the right to a fair trial. This article grants Congress the power to establish a system of lower courts, determining the shape and structure of the federal judiciary, including the number of Supreme Court Justices. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has original jurisdiction over specific cases, such as disputes between states or cases involving ambassadors, and appellate jurisdiction on most other matters, including constitutional and federal law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Article of the Constitution that authorizes the Judicial Branch | Article III |
| Judicial Power | Vested in one Supreme Court and such inferior Courts as Congress establishes |
| Jurisdiction of Supreme Court | Original and appellate |
| Jurisdiction of Supreme Court over | Cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a State is a party |
| Jurisdiction of Supreme Court over | Controversies to which the United States is a party, controversies between two or more states, between citizens of different states, etc. |
| Trial of all crimes | By jury, in the state where the crimes were committed |
| Judges | Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate |
| Judge's term of office | During good behaviour; no fixed term |
| Judge's salary | Cannot be diminished during continuance in office |
| Role | To decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve other cases involving federal laws |
| Role | To provide checks and balances on the legislative and executive branches |
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What You'll Learn
Article III of the Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch and outlines its powers and jurisdiction. It guarantees that every person accused of wrongdoing has the right to a fair trial before a competent judge and a jury of their peers. This article also created the Supreme Court and authorized Congress to establish a system of lower courts, including district courts and courts of appeals.
Article III, Section 1 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." This section grants Congress the power to shape the federal judiciary and determine the number of Supreme Court Justices.
Article III, Section 2 establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as disputes between states, cases involving ambassadors, and other specific scenarios outlined in Article III. It also has appellate jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, including those involving federal law and the Constitution.
The Judicial Branch plays a crucial role in the system of checks and balances within the US government. The Supreme Court's power of judicial review, established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803, allows it to determine the constitutionality of federal laws and ensure that all branches of government respect their limits. This power is an essential check on the legislative and executive branches, providing a mechanism to protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
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The Supreme Court's authority to strike down state laws
The Supreme Court's power to strike down state laws is based on its authority to interpret the Constitution and determine the legality of government actions. This power of judicial review was established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison (1803), where the Court asserted its right to declare a Legislative or Executive act unconstitutional. In this case, the Court held that an Act of Congress that contradicts the Constitution is invalid, establishing the precedent for judicial review.
The Supreme Court's jurisdiction generally applies to cases involving disputes between US states, disputes involving foreign nations, and cases that implicate federal law or the Constitution. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as those mentioned in Article III, while it has appellate jurisdiction over most other cases, where it can hear appeals on constitutional or federal law issues. The Court's discretion in choosing which cases to hear is significant, as it allows the Court to focus on matters of national importance or conflicting decisions from lower federal courts.
However, it is important to note that the power of judicial review and the Supreme Court's ability to strike down state laws is not explicitly mentioned in the text of the Constitution. Instead, it arose from the Marbury v. Madison decision and has been a source of debate since its establishment. Critics have argued that this power could allow the courts to shape the government according to their preferences, highlighting the potential for judicial overreach. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court's authority to strike down state laws has become an established part of the US political system, with its decisions carrying significant weight and impact on society.
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The Supreme Court's power of judicial review
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch and vests the judicial power of the United States in a Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress may establish from time to time. The Constitution does not stipulate the number of Supreme Court Justices; this is set by Congress. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. The Court has appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The Court's caseload is almost entirely appellate in nature, and its decisions cannot be appealed to any authority as it is the final judicial arbiter in the United States on matters of federal law.
The Supreme Court typically decides arguments about the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they violate the Constitution. The Court also has the authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution. The Court's rulings on the Fourteenth Amendment, for example, have led to most of its provisions being applied to the states as well as the federal government.
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The Supreme Court's role in the constitutional system of government
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States, and it plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. The Court's role is established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which also guarantees the right to a fair trial for every person accused of wrongdoing.
Article III created the Supreme Court and authorized Congress to establish a system of lower courts. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as disputes between two or more states, cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers, and controversies with the United States as a party. In most other cases, the Court has appellate jurisdiction, meaning it can hear appeals on matters of constitutional or federal law. The Court's caseload is primarily appellate, and its decisions are final and cannot be appealed to any other authority.
One of the most important roles of the Supreme Court is its power of judicial review, which is not explicitly granted by the Constitution but was established in the Marbury v. Madison case of 1803. Judicial review gives the Court the ability to determine if a law passed by Congress or an act of the Executive branch violates the Constitution. This power allows the Court to provide checks and balances on the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that each branch recognizes its own limits.
The Supreme Court also has the final say on when a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right has been violated. This role became more significant after the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment, which expanded the application of the Bill of Rights to the states. The Court's rulings on Constitutional rights have had a profound impact on various aspects of American life, including civil liberties, civil rights, and federalism.
In summary, the Supreme Court's role in the constitutional system of government is to interpret the law, ensure fair trials, and act as a check on the other branches of government through its power of judicial review. The Court's decisions shape the understanding and application of Constitutional rights, making it a vital component of the U.S. constitutional system.
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The Supreme Court's jurisdiction
Article III of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Supreme Court and outlines its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States, with one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as suits between two or more states, cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers, and other specified cases. It also has appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases and state court cases that involve questions of federal or constitutional law.
The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction is outlined in Article III, Section II of the Constitution, which states that the Court shall have original jurisdiction in "all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party." This means that the Supreme Court is the first court to hear these types of cases, rather than a lower court. The Court's original jurisdiction also includes the power to issue writs of mandamus, or legal orders compelling government officials to act, established in the Judiciary Act of 1789.
The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction, or its power to review and revise decisions made by lower courts, is also an important aspect of its authority. The Court has the discretion to decide whether to hear a case on appeal, and it agrees to review only a small fraction of the thousands of cases it is asked to consider each year. The Certiorari Act of 1925 gives the Court this discretion and allows it to be selective in the cases it chooses to hear. The Court's appellate jurisdiction includes cases from federal courts of appeal, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands, and in certain circumstances, state courts.
In addition to its original and appellate jurisdiction, the Supreme Court also has the power of judicial review, established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803. This power allows the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution and to strike down federal laws, state laws, and even presidential directives that are found to be unconstitutional. This power is not explicitly mentioned in the text of the Constitution but has been established through the Court's rulings and is a key aspect of its jurisdiction and role in the U.S. legal system.
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Frequently asked questions
Article III of the US Constitution authorizes the judicial branch.
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch and leaves Congress significant discretion to determine the shape and structure of the federal judiciary. It also guarantees every person accused of wrongdoing the right to a fair trial.
The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
