Constitution of the United States
III
- Jurisdiction
- United States of America
- Provision
- III
- Source language
- English
- Recorded status
- in force
More details
- Recorded status
- in force
Provision text
Official sourceSection. 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 Compen-
sation, which shall not be diminished during their
Continuance in Office.
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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 Con-
troversies 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 pub-
lic 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 appel-
late 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.
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. 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.
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.
*Changed by the Eleventh Amendment.
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Source record
Source and verification
Constitution of the United States · govinfo.gov · Retrieved 17 August 2026.
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