Which cases are within the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction?

Which cases are within the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction?

• A. Cases between private individuals in the same state
• B. Cases involving ambassadors, ministers, and consuls
• C. Cases arising under state law contracts
• D. Cases involving administrative agency actions

Answer: (B)

Original jurisdiction means the Supreme Court is the first and primary court to hear the case. Under Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction covers cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and cases in which a state is a party. The scenario involving ambassadors, ministers, and consuls fits this constitutional grant exactly, so it is within the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. The other scenarios don’t fit because private civil disputes between individuals, state-law contract disputes, and administrative agency actions are typically heard in lower federal courts or state courts and only reach the Supreme Court on appeal or under different jurisdictional provisions.

Original jurisdiction means the Supreme Court is the first and primary court to hear the case. Under Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction covers cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and cases in which a state is a party. The scenario involving ambassadors, ministers, and consuls fits this constitutional grant exactly, so it is within the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. The other scenarios don’t fit because private civil disputes between individuals, state-law contract disputes, and administrative agency actions are typically heard in lower federal courts or state courts and only reach the Supreme Court on appeal or under different jurisdictional provisions.