Section 2 of Article III of the constitution sates:
"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."
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving two states, and cases involving ambassadors, consuls, or other public ministers.
This is not to be confused with appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction is when the court hears the case first. Appellate jurisdiction is when the court hears an appeal from another court of original jurisdiction.
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In cases involving ambassadors, it is the Supreme Court of the United States that has original jurisdiction. The Supreme Court was formed in 1789.
According to Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, the US Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases:affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consulsdisputes between the states (original and exclusive jurisdiction, see 28 U.S.C. § 1251)Currently, the US Supreme Court only exercises original jurisdiction in disputes between the states; per 28 USC § 1251, the Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the US District Courts over cases involving ambassadors. Congress allocated original jurisdiction over cases involving foreign officials to the US District Courts, because the Supreme Court does not have original and exclusive jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction is shared with the US District Courts.In all other cases the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction.
Both the US Supreme Court and the US District Courts share original jurisdiction over cases involving foreign diplomats; however, Congress has decided to allow the US District Courts to exercise original jurisdiction in this area. The Supreme Court may choose to hear these cases, but does not.
Article III of the Constitution describes the class of cases the Supreme Court may hear under original jurisdiction, but Congress determined whether the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction was shared or exclusive. Currently, the Supreme Court only exercises exclusive, original jurisdiction over disputes between the states. Cases involving ambassadors and other other foreign dignitaries are first heard in US District Court.
Yes. The US Supreme Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction over disputes between the states.