How is the judiciary structured in the Constitution, including tenure and jurisdiction?

• A. A Supreme Court and lower federal courts; Judges and justices hold life tenure for good behavior; jurisdiction over federal questions and laws.
• B. A single national court with judges elected for fixed terms; jurisdiction limited to original trials.
• C. State courts only; federal courts do not exist; judges serve six-year terms.
• D. A system of rival courts with judges appointed for life by the legislature.

Answer: (B)

The Constitution builds a national judiciary with an independent federal court system, not a single court or a state-only setup. Article III creates a Supreme Court and authorizes Congress to establish lower federal courts. Judges and justices hold their offices during good behavior, effectively for life, which protects them from political pressure and helps maintain judicial independence. The judiciary’s jurisdiction covers matters arising under the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties—federal questions—and it also handles certain cases like disputes between states, or between citizens of different states, and other areas where federal law applies. The Supreme Court has both original jurisdiction in limited cases and broad appellate jurisdiction, with most work flowing through the lower federal courts first. Congress can shape and extend the lower courts’ jurisdiction as needed, within the bounds set by the Constitution.