| Article
III of the United States Constitution (1787).
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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