What does original jurisdiction refer to?

Original jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear a case for the first time, as opposed to reviewing a case that has already been decided by a lower court. This is significant because it determines which court has the authority to initially handle specific types of cases. In the U.S. legal system, original jurisdiction is typically held by trial courts, which are the courts where cases are initially filed and heard, allowing them to examine evidence and hear witness testimony.

For instance, the Supreme Court of the United States has original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and those in which a state is a party. This means that these cases do not go through an intermediary court; they are brought directly to the Supreme Court. Understanding original jurisdiction is essential when analyzing the structure of the U.S. judicial system and the role of different courts within it.