Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the United States is the cornerstone of the country's legal system, and Article III, also known as the judicial branch, is a key component. This article establishes the federal judiciary, with Section 1 vesting the judicial power in one supreme Court, as well as inferior courts created by Congress. The Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, has the final say on constitutional matters and plays an essential role in ensuring each branch of government recognises its limits. The Court's power of judicial review, established in the Marbury v. Madison case of 1803, allows it to declare acts of Congress or the Executive in violation of the Constitution. Section 2 of Article III outlines the Court's jurisdiction, including original and appellate jurisdiction, while Section 3 defines treason and outlines the requirements for conviction and punishment. The Supreme Court's nine justices, including one Chief Justice, are appointed by the President and hold their offices during good behaviour, with their salaries protected from diminution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Establishes the judicial branch of the U.S. federal government | The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and lower courts created by Congress |
| Empowers the courts to handle cases | Cases or controversies arising under federal law, the Constitution, federal treaties, and other enumerated areas |
| Defines treason | Treason against the United States is defined as levying war against them or aiding their enemies |
| Judicial power | Vested in one Supreme Court and inferior courts established by Congress |
| Jurisdiction | The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between states or cases involving ambassadors, and appellate jurisdiction in almost any other case involving constitutional or federal law |
| Judicial review | The Supreme Court has the power to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution |
| Federal judiciary | Consists of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices |
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What You'll Learn
Article III, Section I establishes the federal judiciary
Article III, Section I of the United States Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, also known as the judicial branch of the U.S. federal government. This section vests the judicial power of the United States in a "supreme Court", as well as "inferior courts" established by Congress.
The first sentence of 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." This means that while the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it gives Congress the power to decide how to organise it and create lower federal 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.
Article III, Section I also authorises the creation of inferior courts, but does not require it. These inferior federal courts were first established shortly after the ratification of the Constitution with the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Article III courts, also known as "constitutional courts", are the only courts with judicial power.
Additionally, Article III, Section I establishes that federal judges do not face term limits and that their salaries may not be decreased during their continuance in office. This provision is designed to ensure the independence of judges and protect them from political influence.
Overall, Article III, Section I plays a crucial role in establishing the federal judiciary and ensuring the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the U.S. government.
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Section I vests the judicial power of the US in the Supreme Court
The US Constitution's Article III, Section I, vests the judicial power of the United States in a single Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress may establish from time to time. This section establishes the federal judiciary and empowers the judicial branch of the national government, separate from the executive and legislative branches.
The full text of Article III, Section I, Clause 1, reads:
> "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 clause ensures that the Supreme Court has the final say in legal matters, with its decisions taking precedence over state courts. It also grants Congress the authority to establish and organise the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court and inferior courts. The Judiciary Act of 1789 was the first exercise of this power, creating a Supreme Court with six justices and establishing the lower federal court system.
The Supreme Court's role as the highest court in the land makes it the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Its power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognises its own limits and protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.
Article III, Section II, establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, granting it original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between states or cases involving ambassadors, and appellate jurisdiction over almost all other cases involving points of constitutional or federal law.
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Section II establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary and empowers the judicial branch of the national government. 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 section authorises the creation of inferior courts but does not require it.
Article III, Section II 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. It also has appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. For example, this includes cases where 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 power of judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, is not explicitly mentioned in the text of the Constitution. However, the Court established this power in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803. The Court also established its authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that each branch of the government recognises and stays within the limits of its power.
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Section II gives the Supreme Court original jurisdiction
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, with Section I vesting the judicial power of the United States in "one supreme Court", as well as inferior courts established by Congress. Article III, Section II establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction has been interpreted to enable Congress to create inferior or lower courts. The Judiciary Act of 1789, for example, created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system. This Act gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, or legal orders compelling government officials to act according to the law.
The Supreme Court's most well-known power, judicial review, is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. However, the Court established this power in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803, asserting its authority to strike down legislative or executive acts that violate the Constitution. The Court's power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its power.
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Section III defines treason
Article III of the United States Constitution establishes the federal judiciary and empowers the judicial branch of the national government. 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 section also authorizes the creation of inferior courts, but does not require it, and it establishes that federal judges do not face term limits and that an individual judge's salary may not be decreased.
Article III, Section II 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. It also has appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.
Article III, Section III defines treason against the United States as "levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." This section also requires that at least two witnesses testify to the treasonous act or that the accused confesses in open court. The Congress shall have the power to declare the punishment for treason, but the ways in which Congress can punish those convicted of treason are limited. For example, no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and plays a crucial role in ensuring that each branch of the government recognizes the limits of its power. It has the power of judicial review, which is 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. The Supreme Court also has the final say over when a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated.
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Frequently asked questions
Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary and empowers the judicial branch of the US government.
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."
Article III, Section II establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case involving a point of constitutional or federal law.
The best-known power of the Supreme Court is judicial review, or the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution.
