What is an Article III Court?

Article III, Section 1 of the US Constitution provides the authority for the creation of the US Supreme Court and subordinate courts as Congress may identify.

What is the authority for the federal and state judicial systems in the United States?

The authority for the federal and state judicial systems is found in the US and state Constitutions.

Below is a breakdown of the courts as authorized under Article III, Section 1 of the US Constitution.

State constitutions are modeled after the US Constitution and generally establish a similar state-court structure.

Federal Court System

• Article III – Section I, reads:

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 US Supreme Court is the only court specifically established by the Constitution.

Congress has created several subordinate courts below the Supreme Court, which include the Federal District Courts, Federal Circuit Courts, and numerous ancillary courts that have special jurisdiction.

Pursuant to Articles I and II, all members of Article III courts and tribunals are appointed by the President and are confirmed by a vote of the Senate.