Isabella Carter
The US Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government, which consists of the Supreme Court and lower courts created by Congress. Article III of the Constitution created the Supreme Court and authorized Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US, with one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The US Constitution also establishes the nation's 94 district or trial courts, which resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying the law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Established by | Article III of the U.S. Constitution |
| Judicial branch | One of three separate and distinct branches of the federal government |
| Supreme Court | Highest court in the United States |
| Jurisdiction | Original and appellate |
| Number of justices | Nine (one chief justice and eight associate justices) |
| Appointment | Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate |
| Tenure | No term limits; hold office for life |
| Remuneration | Salaries cannot be decreased during their term of office |
| Powers | Judicial review, i.e., the final say over when a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated |
| Power to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution | |
| Protects civil rights and liberties | |
| Ensures that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm minorities | |
| Inferior courts | Authorized by Article III and established by Congress |
| Treason | Defined by Article III, Section 3 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Supreme Court
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." This establishes the Supreme Court as the highest judicial power in the country. While the Constitution establishes the Court, it gives Congress the power to decide how to organize it. Congress first did this with the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created a Supreme Court with six justices.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states or cases involving ambassadors. It also has appellate jurisdiction, allowing it to hear cases on appeal that involve constitutional or federal law. The Court's opinions are binding and create precedent in American law.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the US constitutional system of government. It acts as a check on the other branches of government, ensuring they recognize the limits of their power. The Court's independence from political branches is protected by the lifetime tenure of justices and the protection of their salaries.
The Supreme Court has made several landmark decisions over the years, including cases involving students' rights, such as Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, and more recently, cases related to the Trump administration's policies. The Court's rulings have a profound impact on the lives of Americans, and it continues to be a vital part of the US judicial system.
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Inferior courts
The US Constitution establishes three branches of the federal government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, which includes the Supreme Court and inferior 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." This means that while the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it gives Congress the authority to decide whether to establish lower federal courts and how to organize them.
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. The Act created thirteen judicial districts, each with one district judge, and three judicial circuits with circuit courts comprised of one district judge and two Supreme Court Justices.
The judges of both the Supreme Court and inferior courts 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 of office. These protections are meant to safeguard the independence of the judiciary from political interference.
The specific number and structure of inferior courts can vary over time as Congress has the power to abolish or establish new courts and regulate their jurisdiction. For example, in 1913, Congress abolished the Commerce Court and redistributed its judges and jurisdiction to other courts.
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Federal judiciary
The US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary in Article III, 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." The Constitution thus establishes the Supreme Court but permits Congress to decide how to organise it and to establish 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. 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. After the Civil War, the number of seats was fixed at nine, where it remains today, with one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The Supreme Court also has the power to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution and plays an essential role in ensuring that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power.
Below the Supreme Court are 13 appellate courts, known as the US Courts of Appeals, which determine whether the law was applied correctly in the trial court or federal administrative agency. The nation's 94 district or trial courts are called US district courts, which resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying the law to those facts. There are also 90 US bankruptcy courts, which help people and businesses unable to pay their debts get a fresh start.
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts is the primary support agency for the federal courts and is responsible for tasks such as preparing the judiciary's budget and providing secure court facilities and administrative staff. The Federal Judicial Center is the primary research and education agency for the federal courts, conducting research and issuing reports on judiciary activities.
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Judicial review
The US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary in Article III, 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 Supreme Court and authorises Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and is composed of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. These justices, like all federal judges, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, typically serving for life. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and appellate jurisdiction over almost all other cases, allowing it to hear cases on appeal that involve points of constitutional or federal law.
One of the key features and best-known powers of the Supreme Court is judicial review, which is the authority of federal courts to declare that federal or state government actions violate the Constitution. Judicial review is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but it has become one of the distinctive features of United States constitutional law. The concept of judicial review was already established at the time of the Founding, and the Framers of the Constitution were aware of it, with some favouring granting courts this power.
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review ensures that each branch of the government recognises the limits of its power and protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. It also sets limits on democratic government by preventing popular majorities from passing laws that harm or take advantage of unpopular minorities, thus safeguarding fundamental values such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and due process of law.
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Supreme Court justices
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. Article III of the US Constitution created the Supreme Court and authorised Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The Supreme Court has one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. These justices 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 of office. These measures are intended to protect the independence of the judiciary from political branches of government.
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. It has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The Court also has the power to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution.
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. It ensures that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power. The Court also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. It sets limits on democratic government, ensuring that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm or take advantage of unpopular minorities.
The Supreme Court's decisions have a significant impact on society. For example, in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969), the Court held that students could not be punished for wearing black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution's highest court is the US Supreme Court.
The US Supreme Court has the final say on whether a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated. It also plays an essential role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its power.
The US Constitution also mandates the establishment of inferior or lower courts by Congress. These courts are also known as "constitutional courts" and were first created by the Judiciary Act of 1789.
