Article III, Section 2 of the United States Constitution explains that federal courts are responsible for resolving arguments over constitutional interpretations. It also gives the judiciary power over the laws enacted by Congress and the United States’ obligations and rights under international agreements. Under Article III, Section 2, federal courts are also allowed to hear cases on disagreements between two or more states, states and citizens, and states and the federal government.
Article III, 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.
Most federal cases start in district courts and may advance to appeals courts. If another appeal is filed, the Supreme Court can choose to review the case, but at least four justices must agree to hear it. The Supreme Court typically hears fewer than 100 cases a year out of the thousands of applications.
