Why did congress create an expanded federal court sisttem?

Answer 1

The Founding Fathers felt that the Judicial Branch would decide disputes and be able to make decisions that would settle those disputes. They probably felt that the power to declare laws unconstitutional (Judicial Review) was an important part of the judiciary. But, there needed to be one court to which a final authority was given to determine cases that had not been settled in other courts. Thus, the Constitution created the Supreme Court. It has the final say (supreme) and its rulings are the last appeal that can be made. The Supreme Court is necessary to settle disputes and to rule on the constitutionality of laws which are brought before it. With this in mind, the Framers of the Constitution mandated establishment of the Supreme Court in Article III of the US Constitution. Article III 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.

Answer 2

The Constitution mandated creation of the Supreme Court in Article III, but left important details, like the size and structure of the court, undefined. This allows the government to make adjustments to meet the country's changing needs; for example, increasing the number of justices to accommodate a larger caseload as the US added states and the population increased.

Both Article I, which addresses the power of Congress, and Article III, which talks about the Supreme Court and judiciary, assigns authority for creating federal courts to Congress. The Founding Fathers intended this as a check on the power of the Judicial branch of government.

Congress can only act through written legislation, which, when signed by the President, becomes law.

Congress created the US Supreme Court and the federal court system in the Judiciary Act of 1789 because that was the only way they could create a legal structure for the Supreme Court and explain how it would interact with the lower courts. If these decisions weren't committed to law, no one would be bound to follow the rules.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 3

Congress established the US Supreme Court because Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution required them to.