Opinion ID: 187427
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: First Principles Governing the Jurisdiction of Federal Courts

Text: In considering whether a matter should be dismissed as a nonjusticiable political question, it is important to recall the first principles that govern the jurisdiction of federal courts:  It is, emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137, 177, 2 L.Ed. 60 (1803).  [F]ederal courts lack the authority to abstain from the exercise of jurisdiction that has been conferred. New Orleans Pub. Serv., Inc. v. Council of New Orleans, 491 U.S. 350, 358, 109 S.Ct. 2506, 105 L.Ed.2d 298 (1989); see also Boumediene v. Bush, ___ U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 2229, 2262, 171 L.Ed.2d 41 (2008).  We have no more right to decline the exercise of jurisdiction which is given, than to usurp that which is not given. The one or the other would be treason to the constitution. Questions may occur which we would gladly avoid; but we cannot avoid them. Cohens v. Virginia, 19 U.S. (6 Wheat.) 264, 404, 5 L.Ed. 257 (1821). In sum, [w]hen a Federal court is properly appealed to in a case over which it has by law jurisdiction, it is its duty to take such jurisdiction.... The right of a party plaintiff to choose a Federal court where there is a choice cannot be properly denied. Willcox v. Consol. Gas Co. of New York, 212 U.S. 19, 40, 29 S.Ct. 192, 53 L.Ed. 382 (1909).