Article III · Section 1 of 3
The federal courts
Article III: The courts
The one-line version
There is one Supreme Court, plus lower courts Congress creates. Judges serve for life.
Section 1 in plain English
The judicial power, meaning the power to decide cases, belongs to one Supreme Court. It also belongs to any lower federal courts Congress creates.
Federal judges keep their jobs "during good Behaviour." In practice, this means for life unless they resign or are impeached and removed. Their pay cannot be cut while they serve.
Original text, 1788
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.