Click here to see Article 3 of the US Constitution.
Article III has 3 sections and about 377 words. It is one of the shortest. At average reading speed, it takes less than two minutes to read aloud. The word “Court” is capitalized throughout. If you count commas, there are just over 30 of them.
Article 3 Summary
Article 3 of the US Constitution lays down the framework of the federal government’s judicial branch and contains three main sections.
The sections of Article III are separated into clauses that detail different aspects of judicial power and legal structure and procedure.
Article 3, Section 1
Article 3, Section 1 of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is at the head of the judicial branch of the federal government. It also allows Congress to establish lower courts as needed.
Judiciary Act of 1869
It is important to note that Article III of the United States Constitution does not establish the number of Supreme Court justices.
However, the Judiciary Act of 1869 established the current limit of nine Supreme Court justices and has been the accepted number since.
If Congress repeals the Judiciary Act of 1869, the wording of Article 3, Section 1 allows for altering the number of Supreme Court justices.
Government offices must be held in good order
Section 1 further states that all judges in the Supreme Court and any federal judges in lower federal courts established by Congress must hold their offices in good standing.
It also entitles them to a salary during their service that cannot be decreased during their time in office.
Compensation for Judges
While the United States Constitution only establishes compensation for judges during their service, the Judiciary Act of 1869 establishes additional compensation options for judges by allowing them to retire with a pension.
Article 3, Section 2
Clause 1
Article III, Section 2, Clause 1 establishes the wide-ranging authority of the Supreme Court and any other federal courts established by Congress.
It establishes the Supreme Court as the final arbiter in cases regarding the US Constitution. It also gives the Supreme Court the final say regarding any law passed in the United States or any treaty established.
Section 2, Clause 1 gives a very detailed list of examples of what would fall under the Supreme Court’s authority to leave no doubt as to their role as the final arbiter on all legal matters.
The Supreme Court is expressly given the authority in all legal cases surrounding:
- Ambassadors
- Public ministers
- Maritime jurisdiction
- Disputes between states
- Disputes between a state and a citizen of another state
- Citizens of different states
- Citizens of the same state
- Any controversy where the United States is a party
While the massive scope of authority granted to the Supreme Court and its original jurisdiction may seem concerning at first, a close examination of the first sentence of Section 2, Clause 1, reveals a limitation on its power.
The first sentence states explicitly that:
“The Judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution.”
Therefore, the Supreme Court can only interpret the laws of the United States as legal cases arise and is prohibited from creating legal cases itself to strike down laws or make new ones.
Clause 2
Article 3, Section 2, Clause 2 gives the Supreme Court jurisdiction over any case involving ambassadors or other public ministers.
It also gives jurisdiction where one or both parties in the legal case comprise a state.
In all other legal cases, the Supreme Court functions as an appellate court, providing that Congress can make laws to set guidelines regarding when cases can be appealed.
While the United States Constitution does not establish any other courts other than the Supreme Court, it does state the appellate nature of the Supreme Court.
There is also a provision in Section 1 of Article 3 allowing Congress to establish more courts as needed.
These two things strongly imply that the founders of the Constitution expected that more courts would be created at the outset of the nation’s founding.
Clause 3
Article 3, Clause 3 specifies that any trial other than impeachment must be held with a jury in the state where the offenses were allegedly committed.
If the crimes were not committed in a specific state, the location would be determined by federal law and regulations passed by Congress for such a circumstance.
Article 3, Section 3
Clause 1
Article 3, Section 3, Clause 1 defines what constitutes treason against the United States and sets guidelines for how an individual shall be convicted of this crime.
What is treason?
It is clearly stated that treason involves a citizen waging war against the United States, allying with enemies of the United States, or giving any form of aid or help to enemies of the United States.
Two witnesses are needed for a conviction of treason
An individual can only be convicted of this crime on the testimony of at least two witnesses or by confession in open court.
The confession in open court can only be voluntary and not compelled, as the 5th Amendment to the Constitution guaranteed to the accused, including those accused of treason, the right against self-incrimination.
Treason is the only crime expressly defined and addressed in the US Constitution, implying that while the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, it is only a basic foundation.
The need to establish additional laws
The founders realized that true, effective governance of the nation would arise out of the additional laws and measures passed by the federal and state governments.
Law and order would begin and end with the Constitution. Still, future citizens, Congress, state and local governments, and amendments to the Constitution would need to address every point in between.
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Clause 2
Article 3, Section 3, Clause 2 gives Congress the power to determine the punishment of the individual convicted of treason.
However, the punishment is limited to only the person who committed the crime. It cannot be imposed on any family, friends, or associates of the guilty individual as long as they weren’t involved in the crime.
Finally, while Congress is given the right to confiscate the individual’s property convicted of treason while they are still living, when the convicted person dies, their property must be returned to their next of kin.
