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.
The judicial power (power to judge whether a law has been broken) is given to the Supreme Court and to other federal courts that Congress sets up. The judges of these courts keep their jobs for life during good behavior. They are paid a salary, which cannot be lowered during their time in office.
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.
2. 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.
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.
1. Federal courts try cases having to do with:
the Constitution
federal laws (laws of the United States)
treaties
laws involving the sea
ambassadors or other embassy officials. Federal courts also try cases that involve:
the United States government itself
two or more states
citizens of different states
a state or its citizens against a foreign country or citizens of a foreign country.
2. Cases which involve officials of other countries or cases which involve states will go at once to the Supreme Court. (This is called original jurisdiction.)
3. The trials of all crimes except impeachment will be jury trials. A trial will be held in the states where the crimes was committed. If the crime was not committed un any states (on a ship at sea, for example), the trial will be held wherever Congress decides.
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.
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.
1. Treason against the United States means making war against the United States or helping the enemies of the United States. Treason can be proved only by the word of two witnesses or by a confession in open court.
2. Congress can decide what the punishment for treason will be. But the convicted person's family cannot be punished. Their property cannot be taken away.