In which instances does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

The Supreme Court possesses original jurisdiction primarily in cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and those in which a state is a party. This jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear these cases directly, without them first being heard in lower courts.

Article III, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly outlines that the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in these specific circumstances, emphasizing the court's role in handling matters that could have significant implications for diplomacy and state sovereignty. For instance, if a state were to sue another state or if there were a dispute involving a foreign ambassador, the Supreme Court would be the first and only court in which those cases would be filed and heard.

This designation reflects the importance of resolving such cases at the highest level due to their potential impact on national interests and legal precedents. Other types of cases, such as criminal cases or appeals from lower courts, fall under the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction and do not qualify for original jurisdiction.