By: Joel Stephen Mattson
Not all courtrooms are created equal. If you want to protect your rights, you need to know whether you’re standing in a constitutional court of record or a corporate tribunal in disguise. This checklist will help you spot the difference—before it’s too late.
Use this list every time you enter a courtroom. The answers could determine whether you’re being lawfully judged or administratively processed.
✅ Judicial Power vs. Legislative Power
| Question | Real Court (Article III) | Corporate Tribunal (Article I) |
|---|---|---|
| Is the judge appointed for life? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Is the judge confirmed by the Senate? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Is the court bound by the Constitution? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Is the judge independent from Congress? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
✅ Consent and Jurisdiction
| Question | Real Court (Article III) | Corporate Tribunal (Article I) |
|---|---|---|
| Were you asked to consent to the judge? | ✅ Yes (or not required) | ❌ No (presumed) |
| Can you refuse the judge’s authority? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (but they won’t tell you) |
| Did you sign anything acknowledging jurisdiction? | ❌ No | ❌ No—but they pretend you did |
| Did the court prove jurisdiction on the record? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
(Need help asserting your rights? Read: How to Withdraw Consent and Demand a Constitutional Court)
✅ Due Process and Rights
| Question | Real Court (Article III) | Corporate Tribunal (Article I) |
|---|---|---|
| Are your constitutional rights guaranteed? | ✅ Yes | ❌ Only if convenient |
| Are you judged under law or policy? | ✅ Law | ❌ Policy, codes, rules |
| Can the judge be removed only by impeachment? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (term-based) |
| Are you guaranteed a trial by jury? | ✅ Yes | ❌ Often not |
✅ Transparency and Accountability
| Question | Real Court (Article III) | Corporate Tribunal (Article I) |
|---|---|---|
| Is the proceeding open to the public? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (but still administrative) |
| Can the judge be held liable for violating rights? | ✅ Yes (in theory) | ❌ Not usually |
| Does the court disclose your right to refuse? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (they hide it) |
Final Scorecard
If you answered:
- Mostly Article III ➜ You’re likely in a real constitutional court.
- Mostly Article I ➜ You’re in a legislative tribunal. Jurisdiction is presumed. Rights are negotiable. Justice is optional.
Final Word: Know the Court, Know the Rules
The courtroom may look official. The judge may wear a robe. But if it’s not an Article III court, you’re not in a court of record—you’re in a policy enforcement chamber.
Use this checklist. Ask the hard questions. Refuse consent where consent is required.
Because once you know what kind of court you’re standing in—you know how to fight back.
Next Article in the Series: Templates and Tools: How to File Your Notice of Non-Consent
Back to Consent Trap Series Overview: Consent Trap Landing Page