Eleanor Finch
Article III, Section I of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, stating 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 outlines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, including original jurisdiction over cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, as well as those in which a state is a party. The Supreme Court also has appellate jurisdiction over a wide range of cases involving constitutional and federal law. While the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it gives Congress the power to determine the Court's organization and the time and place of its sessions.
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What You'll Learn
- Article III, Section I of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary
- Article III, Section II establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction
- Congress determines the time and place of the Court's sessions
- The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US
Article III, Section I of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary
Article III, Section I of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, stating 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 vests the Supreme Court with the authority to interpret and apply the law of the land, making it the highest court in the nation.
The Constitution grants the Supreme Court original jurisdiction over specific cases, primarily those involving ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, as well as cases in which a state is a party. In all other cases, the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction, meaning it can hear appeals on decisions made by lower courts. This jurisdiction is not absolute, as Congress can make exceptions and regulations regarding which cases the Supreme Court hears.
The Supreme Court's establishment and its interpretation of the Constitution have had a significant impact on the nation's legal system. The Court's interpretation of the Constitution often sets a precedent for future cases and helps clarify the law's meaning. One notable example is the Marbury v. Madison case in 1803, where the Supreme Court established the principle of judicial review, asserting its authority to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional if they conflict with the Constitution.
While Article III, Section I sets the foundation for the Supreme Court, Congress also plays a crucial role in shaping the Court. Through acts like the Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress has the power to determine the structure and organization of the Supreme Court, including the number of justices and the establishment of lower federal courts. Congress also decides on the time and place of the Court's sessions and has the authority to make exceptions to the Court's jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court, as established by Article III, Section I, is an integral part of the US judicial system. It provides a check and balance on the other branches of government, ensuring that laws and actions are in line with the Constitution, and acts as the final arbiter in legal disputes, offering a path to justice for Americans.
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Article III, Section II establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Article III, Section II of the US Constitution establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Article III, Section I 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 establishes the federal judiciary and authorises Congress to pass laws creating a system of lower courts.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction (the legal ability to hear a case for the first time) over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls. It also has original jurisdiction over cases in which a state is a party, including controversies between a state and citizens of another state, and between citizens of different states.
In addition to this, the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction (the ability to hear a case on appeal) on 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). The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction is not compulsory and, with a few exceptions, the Court can decide whether or not to hear a case.
The Supreme Court's most well-known power is judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. This power is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but was established by the Court in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803. The Court has also established its authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution.
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The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction
Article III, Section I of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. It 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. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. In these instances, a case is tried before the Court for the first time. The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, or legal orders compelling government officials to act in accordance with the law.
In addition to its original jurisdiction, the Supreme Court holds appellate jurisdiction in almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. This means that the Court can hear a case that has already been tried in a lower court and is being appealed. Examples include cases in which the United States is a party, cases involving treaties, and cases involving ships on the high seas and navigable waterways (admiralty cases). The Certiorari Act of 1925 gives the Court the discretion to decide whether or not to hear such cases.
The Supreme Court's jurisdiction is not absolute, and Congress plays a significant role in determining the cases the Court can hear. The Judiciary Act of 1789, for instance, created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system. Over the years, various Acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, and the Court's structure has been subject to several proposals for reorganisation.
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Congress determines the time and place of the Court's sessions
Article III, Section I of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. This article also 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. Over the years, various Acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, from a low of five to a high of 10. The number of seats was fixed at nine shortly after the Civil War, and this number remains today, with one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
Congress has the power to determine the time and place of the Supreme Court's sessions. For example, Congress once changed the Court's term to prevent a constitutional attack on the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801, resulting in the Court not convening for 14 months.
Congress also has significant authority to determine which cases the Court has jurisdiction over. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over a relatively narrow set of cases, including those affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state is a party. In all other cases, the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction, with such exceptions and under such regulations as Congress shall make.
The Supreme Court's most well-known power is 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 decided that an Act of Congress could not take precedence over the Constitution. The Supreme Court also has the final say over when a right is protected by or violated by the Constitution.
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The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the country. It was established by Article III, Section I of the US Constitution, which 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 establishes the federal judiciary and authorises Congress to create a system of lower courts.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls. It also has appellate jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, including those that involve a point of constitutional or federal law. The Court's power of judicial review, established in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803), allows it to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court's role within the constitutional system of government is significant. As the highest court, it serves as the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It has the final say on whether a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right has been violated. The Court's decisions can shape the interpretation and application of Constitutional rights and principles, impacting the lives of all Americans.
The size of the Supreme Court has varied over the years, with the number of seats altered by Acts of Congress. The Judiciary Act of 1789, for example, established a Supreme Court with six justices. Following the Civil War, the number of seats was fixed at nine, which remains the current composition of the Court: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
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Frequently asked questions
Article III of the US Constitution created the Supreme Court and authorized Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts.
Article III, Section I 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."
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party. The Court has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.
