U.S. Constitution

ARTICLE 3, SECTION 2 - THE JUDICIAL POWER SHALL EXTEND TO ALL CASES, IN LAW AND EQUITY...

Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S. Constitution.

The judiciary decides cases arising under the Constitution and cases involving federal laws, treaties, and so forth.
Cases involving ambassadors and states go directly to the Supreme Court for judgment.
Other kinds of cases can go to the Supreme Court on appeal.
Except for cases of impeachment, all crimes are tried by jury.
Trials are held in the state where the crime was committed.

Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.

The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;-- between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.

ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3 - TREASON AGAINST THE UNITED STATES...

Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S. Constitution.

It is treason to make war on the United States or to give aid to its enemies.
A person can be convicted of treason if he/she confesses in court or if there are two witnesses to the act of treason.
Congress determines the punishment for treason.

Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.

ARTICLE 4, SECTION 1 - FULL FAITH AND CREDIT SHALL BE GIVEN IN EACH STATE...

Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S. Constitution.

States must honor one another's laws, records, and court rulings.

Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.

Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.

ARTICLE 4, SECTION 2 - THE CITIZENS OF EACH STATE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALL PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES...

Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S. Constitution.

Citizens traveling from state to state are entitled to the same privileges as citizens of the state they are visiting.
If a person charged with a crime flees to another state, the governor of the state where the crime was committed can demand the person's return.

Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.

The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.

A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall on demand of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.

No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.

ARTICLE 4, SECTION 3 - NEW STATES MAY BE ADMITTED BY THE CONGRESS INTO THIS UNION...

Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S. Constitution.

A new state cannot be formed by joining or dividing states without the consent of Congress and the state legislature(s).
Congress can admit new states to the Union.
Congress disposes of and regulates US. territory and property.

Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.

New states may be admitted by the Congress into this union; but no new states shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular state.