By: Joel Stephen Mattson
If you thought all courts were bound to the Constitution, think again. The truth is that most modern courtrooms aren’t constitutional at all—they’re legislative tribunals created by Congress under Article I, not Article III. These administrative courts were never meant to replace real courts. But today, they do.
This didn’t happen by accident. It happened by design.
What Is Article I and What Power Does It Grant?
Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power to create courts for limited purposes—like military tribunals, tax courts, bankruptcy courts, and territorial courts. These are not part of the judicial branch. They are part of the legislative branch.
They were never meant to handle:
- Criminal trials
- Civil lawsuits between private parties
- Constitutional questions
But they do now—and that’s the problem.
Article III: The Only Courts with Judicial Power
Article III courts are the only courts with true judicial authority under the Constitution. Judges are:
- Appointed for life
- Protected from political influence
- Required to uphold constitutional protections
They exist to protect individual rights—not enforce administrative policy.
So how did Article I courts take over?
The Trojan Horse: Efficiency and Convenience
Congress created Article I courts to help ease the burden on Article III courts. They called it a matter of efficiency. Slowly, they gave these legislative courts more and more authority:
- Handling preliminary matters
- Hearing minor civil claims
- Conducting full trials—with consent
But here’s where it went sideways: courts began presuming consent without disclosure. The people were never told they could refuse. The magistrate courts became the default venue.
The Silent Coup Against the Constitution
Once magistrate judges were hearing full cases without proper disclosure, the shift was complete. Americans were now being judged, fined, jailed, and punished in courts that were never constitutional to begin with.
The illusion of justice was maintained—but the foundation of justice was quietly replaced.
This allowed courts to:
- Enforce statutes over rights
- Apply corporate policy instead of constitutional law
- Deny protections like jury trials, judicial independence, and due process
And the public had no idea.
Color of Law, Color of Authority
Article I courts now operate under color of law—appearing legitimate but lacking lawful authority unless consent is given. They exercise color of authority by wearing robes, issuing rulings, and demanding compliance without ever proving jurisdiction.
They are not bound to protect your rights unless you demand it.
(For help doing that, read: How to Withdraw Consent and Demand a Constitutional Court)
Legal Fraud by Redefinition
Congress and the courts redefined legal terms to bypass the Constitution:
- Redefined “State” to mean territories, not the republic
- Redefined “citizen” to mean corporate entities, not living people
- Replaced judicial jurisdiction with administrative regulation
This was done in plain sight—and covered in legalese so dense, no one would question it.
The Result: A Nation Judged by Corporations
Today, over 80% of cases are heard in courts that are:
- Not constitutional
- Not impartial
- Not lawful without consent
Yet the public believes they’re being judged fairly. They’re not. They’re being processed through a corporate machine that sees them as contracts, not people.
Final Thought: Undo the Bypass, Restore the Constitution
The rise of Article I courts represents a slow, quiet coup against Article III justice. But you’re not powerless.
- Learn the difference
- Withdraw consent
- Demand proof of jurisdiction
- Refuse to be tried under administrative rules
Because if you don’t, you’re not in court—you’re in a corporation wearing a robe.
Next Article in the Series: How to Identify If You’re in an Administrative Court and What to Do About It
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