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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.

    • ArtIII.S1.1 The Judicial Power
      • ArtIII.S1.1.1 Judicial Vesting Clause
        • ArtIII.S1.1.1.1  Judicial Vesting Clause: Doctrine and Practice
        • ArtIII.S1.1.1.2 Judicial Vesting Clause: Select Topics for Consideration
      • ArtIII.S1.1.2 Congressional Power to Establish Article III Courts
        • ArtIII.S1.1.2.1  Congressional Power to Establish Article III Courts: Historical Background
        • ArtIII.S1.1.2.2  Congressional Power to Establish Article III Courts: Doctrine and Practice
      • ArtIII.S1.1.3 Congressional Power to Establish Non-Article III Courts
        • ArtIII.S1.1.3.1 Congressional Power to Establish Non-Article III Courts: Doctrine and Practice
          • ArtIII.S1.1.3.1.1  Congressional Power to Establish Non-Article III Courts: Current Doctrine
    • ArtIII.S1.2 Protections for the Federal Judiciary
      • ArtIII.S1.2.1 Good Behavior Clause
      • ArtIII.S1.2.2 Judicial Compensation Clause

  • Section 2

    • Clause 1

    • 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.

      • ArtIII.S2.C1.2 Classes of Cases and Controversies for Federal Courts
        • ArtIII.S2.C1.2.1 Classes of Cases and Controversies for Federal Courts: Arising Under Jurisdiction
        • ArtIII.S2.C1.2.2  Classes of Cases and Controversies for Federal Courts: Admiralty and Maritime
        • ArtIII.S2.C1.2.3  Cases to Which the United States is a Party
        • ArtIII.S2.C1.2.4  Controversies Between Two or More States
        • ArtIII.S2.C1.2.5 Classes of Cases and Controversies for Federal Courts: Diversity Jurisdiction
        • ArtIII.S2.C1.2.6  Controversies Over Land Grants in Different States
        • ArtIII.S2.C1.2.7  Controversies Between a State or Its Citizens and Foreign States/Citizens
    • Clause 2

    • In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be a 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.

      • ArtIII.S2.C2.1 Classes of Cases and Controversies at the Supreme Court
        • ArtIII.S2.C2.1.1 Original and Appellate Jurisdiction Generally
        • ArtIII.S2.C2.1.2  Original Cases Affecting Ambassadors, Public Ministers, & Consuls
        • ArtIII.S2.C2.1.3  Supreme Court Review of State Court Decisions
        • ArtIII.S2.C2.1.4 Classes of Cases and Controversies at the Supreme Court: Exceptions Clause
          • ArtIII.S2.C2.1.4.1  Classes of Cases and Controversies at the Supreme Court: Doctrine and Practice
    • Clause 3

    • 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.

  • Section 3

    • Clause 1

    • Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open court.

    • Clause 2

    • The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

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