Article III The Judicial Branch

History of the third branch

What the Constitution Says Section 1 – The Courts Authorizes ONE supreme court “Inferior courts” Left up to Congress to determine the make up of the Court “shall hold their Offices during good Behavior” Section 2 – Jurisdiction and Power SCOTUS has jurisdiction over: Ambassadors or other foreign representatives Two or more states US government or one of its offices/agencies Citizens of different states A state and a citizen of a different state A state (or citizen) and a foreign country (or citizen) Section 3 – Treason The Supreme Court tries cases of treason …In Just Six Small Paragraphs

“Concurrent Jurisdiction” – The power of both state and federal courts to hear a case. State crimes committed on federal property “State Jurisdiction” Power to hear cases about state laws “Federal Jurisdiction” Involve U.S. Laws, treaties with foreign countries, interpretations of the Constitution “Original Jurisdiction” Authority of a trial court to be the first to hear a case “Appellate Jurisdiction” Authority of an appellate court to hear a case that has already been decided by a lower court; power of a higher court to review and revise a lower court’s decision Jurisdiction -The power to hear certain cases

Jurisdiction (Contd.)

John Marshall and Judicial review Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall helped to strengthen the Supreme Court - Helped to balance the powers. Marbury v. Madison (1803) Establishing the power of “Judicial Review” Gives the Supreme Court the ability and jurisdiction to declare any acts from Congress unconstitutional if it violates the US Constitution The Real Power of the Supreme Court

The current Supreme court Justices Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Stephen Breyer Justice Samuel Alito Justice Elena Kagan Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Antonin Scalia Chief Justice John Roberts Justice Anthony Kennedy Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg