What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have?

The Supreme Court has limited original jurisdiction, which means that it can exercise original jurisdiction in specific types of cases as outlined by the Constitution. According to Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state is a party. For most other cases, the Supreme Court primarily functions as an appellate court, meaning it reviews decisions made by lower courts rather than acting as the first court to hear the case.

This distinction is important because it highlights the Supreme Court's role in the judicial system. While it does have the authority to hear some cases as the first court to do so, its primary responsibility is to review and interpret the law, ensuring uniformity and consistency in legal interpretations across the United States. In contrast to other forms of jurisdiction, such as concurrent or exclusive appellate jurisdiction, limited original jurisdiction restricts the types of cases the Supreme Court can hear initially.