Which article addresses the establishment of the federal judiciary and the authority to create inferior courts?

• A. Article II
• B. Article IV
• C. Article III
• D. Article VI

Answer: (C)

Establishing the federal judiciary and the power to create lower courts is addressed in Article III. This article vests judicial power in a Supreme Court and, as Congress may ordain and establish, in such inferior courts as needed. That sets up the judiciary as a separate branch and explains why Congress can create federal district and circuit courts to handle cases beyond the Supreme Court’s reach. By contrast, Article II covers the executive branch and the presidency, Article IV deals with relationships among states, and Article VI includes the Supremacy Clause and general office requirements. So Article III is the part of the Constitution that addresses both the establishment of the federal judiciary and the authority to create inferior courts.