Federal Courts: Jurisdiction And Constitutional Constraints

The Constitution of the United States sets the maximum possible extent of federal court jurisdiction, and Congress cannot expand this jurisdiction beyond constitutional limits. The Constitution grants federal courts authority over a subset of constitutionally permissible cases, and Congress has periodically expanded the scope of federal court jurisdiction. The Judiciary Act of 1789, for example, gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, and the Federal Judiciary Act established a Federal court system. The Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, is the court of last resort for those seeking justice, and it plays a vital role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes its power limits. The Court also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. The federal court system has been subject to intense interest and debate, with constitutional text as one of the sources used to explain its scope and boundaries.

Explore related products

Aspen Treatise for Federal Jurisdiction

$126.95 $126.95

Understanding Federal Courts and Jurisdiction (Understanding Series)

$57

Aspen Treatise for Federal Jurisdiction

$124.95

Federal Courts: Context, Cases, and Problems [Connected Ebook] (Aspen Casebook)

$359 $359

Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts 1896 [Leather Bound]

$18.95

Examples & Explanations for Federal Courts: Learning Secured Transactions Through Multiple-Choice Questions and Analysis (Examples & Explanations Series)

$76.95 $76.95

Congress has discretionary power to expand or restrict federal court jurisdiction

The Constitution of the United States sets the maximum possible extent of federal court jurisdiction. While Congress cannot expand such jurisdiction beyond the applicable constitutional limits, it can restrict and grant federal courts authority over a subset of constitutionally permissible cases.

Congress has periodically expanded the scope of federal court jurisdiction. For example, Congress amended the federal question statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1331, in 1976 and 1980 to eliminate the jurisdictional amount requirement. On the other hand, Congress has also limited federal court jurisdiction by periodically raising the amount in controversy requirement for diversity suits. For instance, the Federal Courts Act of 1996 raised the amount in controversy requirement from $50,000 to $75,000.

The Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. The Court also has appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The Certiorari Act of 1925 gives the Court the discretion to decide whether or not to hear a case on appeal. The Court's power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its power and protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.

The federal court system has been the subject of intense interest and debate, with the constitutional text as one of many sources used to explain its scope and boundaries.

The Constitution sets the maximum extent of federal court jurisdiction

The Judiciary Act of 1789, signed by President Washington, established a Federal court system. The First Congress decided that it could regulate the jurisdiction of all Federal courts, and in the Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress established a limited jurisdiction for the district and circuit courts. The Supreme Court was given original jurisdiction, and appellate jurisdiction in cases from the Federal circuit courts and state courts where Federal claims had been rejected. The Judiciary Act of 1789 also gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus (legal orders compelling government officials to act in accordance with the law).

Article III of the Constitution has been the subject of intense interest and debate, with the constitutional text being just one of many sources used to explain the bounds of federal court jurisdiction. Article III, Section 2, creates a series of categories of "cases" or "controversies" to which the judicial power "shall extend." These include "all Cases, in Law and Equity," arising under the Constitution, cases "of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction," and controversies in which the parties come from different states ("diversity jurisdiction").

The "'Exceptions and Regulations' Clause" in Article III, Section 2, has led to disputes over congressional control of the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction. One interpretation of Article III is that it permits a great deal of congressional control over jurisdiction. Congress has the power to regulate modes and practices of proceeding on the part of inferior federal courts. Congress has also limited federal court jurisdiction by periodically raising the amount in controversy requirement for diversity suits.

The states operate courts of general jurisdiction, which are not subject to the constitutional jurisdictional limits placed on federal courts. State courts have concurrent jurisdiction to hear most cases that raise issues under the Constitution or federal law.

Federal courts have a more restrictive jurisdiction than state courts

The Constitution sets the maximum possible extent of federal court jurisdiction, and Congress cannot expand this jurisdiction beyond constitutional limits. However, Congress may grant federal courts authority over a subset of permissible cases. The Judiciary Act of 1789 gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, but the Supreme Court noted that the Constitution did not permit it to have original jurisdiction in this matter.

The federal court system was established by the Judiciary Act, signed by President Washington in 1789. The First Congress decided it could regulate the jurisdiction of all federal courts, and in the Judiciary Act of 1789, it established a limited jurisdiction for the district and circuit courts. The decision to grant federal courts a jurisdiction more restrictive than that allowed by the Constitution was a recognition that the people of the United States would not find a full-blown federal court system palatable at that time.

Congress has continued to build on the interpretation of the drafters of the first judiciary act, exercising discretionary power to expand or restrict federal court jurisdiction. Congress has periodically expanded the scope of federal court jurisdiction, for example, by amending the federal question statute in 1976 and 1980 to eliminate the jurisdictional amount requirement. However, it has never provided for federal court jurisdiction in all possible cases that would be authorized under the Constitution's jurisdictional limits.

In contrast to the federal system, the states operate courts of general jurisdiction, which are not subject to the constitutional jurisdictional limits placed on federal courts. State courts have concurrent jurisdiction to hear most cases that raise issues under the Constitution or federal law. Federal trial courts have also been established for specific subject areas, such as bankruptcy, tax, claims against the federal government, and international trade.

Explore related products

Examples & Explanations for Federal Courts

$53 $76.95

The Business of the Supreme Court: A Study in the Federal Judicial System (Library of Liberal Thought)

$31.7 $63.99

Federal Courts and the Law of Federal-State Relations (University Casebook Series)

$120.33 $305

Federal Courts in Context [Connected eBook](Aspen Casebook)

$272.2 $344

Hart and Wechsler's The Federal Courts and the Federal System (University Casebook Series)

$305

Litigating in Federal Court: A Guide to the Rules

$28 $28

The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction

Article III, Section 1 of the US Constitution establishes the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, serving as the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It plays a crucial role in maintaining a balance of power between the different branches of government and protecting civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.

The Judiciary Act of 1789, established by the First Congress, gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, which are legal orders compelling government officials to act according to the law. However, in the case of Chisholm v. Georgia, the Court held that an Act of Congress that contradicts the Constitution could not stand, asserting the supremacy of the Constitution.

The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, on the other hand, is subject to "exceptions and regulations" prescribed by Congress. Congress has the power to regulate the modes and practices of proceeding in inferior federal courts and has periodically expanded or restricted federal court jurisdiction. The Supreme Court hears cases that have been decided in a US Court of Appeals or the highest court in a given state, typically accepting cases of national significance or those that could harmonize conflicting decisions in federal Circuit courts.

The Supreme Court's term begins on the first Monday in October and continues until the Sunday before the first Monday in October of the following year. The Court usually hears oral arguments from October through April, with each case allotted an hour for arguments. To accept a case, four of the nine Justices must vote in favour, and the Court accepts only around 100-150 cases out of the thousands it is asked to review annually.

Federal courts have nationwide jurisdiction over specific issues

The Constitution sets the maximum possible extent of federal court jurisdiction. Congress can restrict federal court jurisdiction but cannot expand it beyond the applicable constitutional limits. The Judiciary Act of 1789, for instance, gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus (legal orders compelling government officials to act in accordance with the law). However, the Supreme Court noted that the Constitution did not permit the Court to have original jurisdiction in this matter.

The jurisdiction of federal courts is subject to congressional prescription. Congress has the power to regulate modes and practices of proceeding on the part of the inferior federal courts. Congress has periodically expanded the scope of federal court jurisdiction. For example, Congress amended the federal question statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1331, in 1976 and 1980 to eliminate the jurisdictional amount requirement.

Federal trial courts have also been established for a few subject-specific areas. Each federal district has a bankruptcy court for bankruptcy proceedings. Additionally, some courts have nationwide jurisdiction for issues such as tax, claims against the federal government, and international trade. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has a nationwide jurisdiction over very specific issues such as patents.

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 (the ability to hear a case on appeal) on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its power, protecting civil rights and liberties, and setting limits on democratic governments.

Frequently asked questions