What jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have under Article III?

The Supreme Court of the United States has original jurisdiction in cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, as well as in cases in which a state is a party. This means that the Court is the first and only court to hear these types of cases. Original jurisdiction is explicitly outlined in Article III of the Constitution and reflects the significant role of the Supreme Court in matters of considerable national interest, especially involving diplomatic relations and inter-state disputes.

While the Court has appellate jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, the specific mention of original jurisdiction in the context of ambassadors and states underscores the unique and fundamental nature of these cases, which the Supreme Court must address directly without prior hearings in lower courts. Understanding this original jurisdiction is critical for recognizing how the Supreme Court fits into the federal judicial system and how it handles its unique responsibilities.