Also known as: US Constitution · United States Constitution · Constitution of the United States · Federal Constitution · U.S. Const.
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
The organic document that serves as the supreme law of the United States. It establishes the structure of the federal government by vesting legislative power in Congress, executive power in the President, and judicial power in the federal courts while imposing limits on governmental authority through enumerated rights and structural safeguards.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Ugo Uberti, a state governor, directs his legislature to appoint electors equal to the state's congressional delegation. The electors meet and cast ballots for President and Vice President. The process fulfills the vesting of executive power and the four-year term requirement.
Uma Upadhyay sues a federal agency in district court under a federal statute and adds a related state-law tort claim arising from the same incident. The court exercises authority over the state claim because it forms part of the same constitutional case or controversy.
Uma Underwood offers a witness statement showing that a defendant crossed state lines on the date in question. The court admits the statement because no constitutional provision, statute, or evidence rule bars it.
Ulric Unger, applying for admission to the state bar, signs an oath to support the federal and state constitutions. The licensing authority accepts the oath as a valid, non-vague commitment to constitutional processes.
Usha Upton, a civil plaintiff, seeks to compel production of documents. The court applies federal common law to determine whether a privilege exists because the claim arises under federal law and no constitutional or statutory rule displaces it.
Una Ueda challenges a state statute that criminalizes private medical decisions between spouses. The court recognizes an implied liberty interest rooted in constitutional text and precedent that invalidates the statute.
The Constitution divides governmental authority among three branches to prevent concentration of power. Article II vests executive power in the President for a fixed term. This separation is reinforced by parallel vesting clauses for legislative and judicial power.
Supporting sources
Section 1367(a) expressly ties supplemental jurisdiction to claims forming part of the same case or controversy under Article III. The constitutional case-or-controversy requirement therefore supplies the outer limit for federal courts exercising supplemental authority.
…whether a confession is incompetent because not voluntary, the issue is controlled by that portion of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, commanding that no person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.' " Bram v. United States , 168 U. S. 532, 542. Although this view has found approval in…
…the frequency with which the doctrine has been reiterated, there stands, as a perpetual protest against its repetition, the Constitution of the United States
…of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." II Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States 626-627 (5th ed. 1891). He further stated, referring to the Ninth Amendment: "This clause was manifestly introduced to prevent any perverse or ingenious misapplication of the well-known…
…after he answers the criminating question put to him, can have the effect of supplanting the privilege conferred by the Constitution of the United States. [The immunity statute under consideration] does not supply a complete protection from all the perils against which the
…to confiscate, but does not itself confiscate the property of the enemy; and their rules go to the exercise of this right. The constitution of the United States was framed at a time when this rule, introduced by commerce in favor of moderation and humanity, was received throughout the civilized world. In expounding that
Supporting sources
Rule 402 makes relevant evidence admissible unless the Constitution, a federal statute, or another rule provides otherwise. A constitutional violation such as an unreasonable search can therefore render otherwise relevant evidence inadmissible.
Supporting sources
A simple oath requiring public employees or bar applicants to support the Constitution is constitutional. It imposes no vague or overbroad restriction on protected speech.
Supporting sources
Rule 501 directs courts to federal common law unless the Constitution, a federal statute, or Supreme Court rule provides otherwise. State privilege law applies only when state law supplies the rule of decision.
Supporting sources