• Original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, cases involving disputes between two states, and cases involving disputes between a state or states and the federal government.
• Final court of appeals for cases in the federal circuit or federal district courts.
• Final court of appeals for cases in the state courts having to do with federal issues.

• Article III of the Constitution

• Federalist 48 concerning separation of powers.
• Federalist 51 concerning checks and balances.
• Federalist 76 and 77 concerning appointing powers of the executive.
• Federalist 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 all concern the Judiciary.

Cases in the courts of appeals may be reviewed by the Supreme Court by the following methods:

• (1) By writ of certiorari granted upon the petition of any party to any civil or criminal case, before or after rendition of judgment or decree;
  • Writs of Certiorari are granted when at least four of the justices agree to hear a particular case.
• (2) By certification at any time by a court of appeals of any question of law in any civil or criminal case as to which instructions are desired, and upon such certification the Supreme Court may give binding instructions or require the entire record to be sent up for decision of the entire matter in controversy.