Article III of the United States Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government. It vests judicial power in the Supreme Court and in such lower courts as Congress may establish, defines the kinds of cases federal courts may hear, and sets the rules for treason.
Text of 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.
-Article 3 Section 1 Clause 1
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.
-Article 3 Section 1 Clause 2
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.
–Article 3 Section 2 Clause 1
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.
-Article 3 Section 2 Clause 2
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.
-Article 3 Section 2 Clause 3
Section 3
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.
-Article 3 Section 3 Clause 1
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.
-Article 3 Section 3 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.
-Article 3 Section 3 Clause 3
What Article III Does
Article III creates the federal judiciary and defines its role in the constitutional system. It establishes the Supreme Court, allows Congress to create lower federal courts, and describes the kinds of legal disputes that fall within federal judicial power.
It also sets important rules for criminal trials and narrowly defines treason against the United States.
Historical Importance
Article III is the constitutional foundation of the federal court system. It helps define the role of judges in interpreting the law and resolving disputes under the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties.
Although Article III is relatively short compared to some other parts of the Constitution, it has had enormous importance in American legal and constitutional history.
Source Note
The wording above reflects the historic text of Article III of the United States Constitution.