What is the constitutional basis of the Supreme Court?

Answer 1

Article III of the US Constitution states that the judicial power of the United States shall vest in one Supreme Court and such other inferior courts as Congress may decide to create. It is the only federal court set up in the Constitution. The Constitution fixes its jurisdiction and tenure but very little else. Almost every other aspect of the Supreme Court is controlled by Congress including the number of justices there are on the Court.

Answer 2

Article III of the Constitution addresses the power of the US Supreme Court and other federal courts in the Judicial Branch very broadly, leaving room for interpretation and legislative modification in most areas except original jurisdiction.

1. The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court.
2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority.
3. to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls
4. to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction
5. to controversies to which the United States shall be a party
6. to controversies between two or more states
7. between a state and citizens of another state (revoked by the Eleventh Amendment)
8. between citizens of different states (diversity jurisdiction only applies to civil cases over $75,000)
9. between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states
10. between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects
11. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls (not exclusive jurisdiction), and those in which a state shall be party (disputes between the states, exclusive jurisdiction), the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction.
12. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

Article III

Section 1. 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 judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

Section 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.

Answer 3

The Court's creation was mandated by Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution.

Article III:

"Section 1. 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 judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office."

Answer 4

The Constitution