Final answer:
The constitutional provision allowing a federal judge to jail Ms. Davis for not following the Supreme Court's ruling is found in Article III, which establishes the federal judicial system. The concept of judicial power and review is essential, as it enables courts to interpret the law and enforce their decisions, including through means such as contempt of court.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where Ms. Davis does not follow the Supreme Court’s ruling, the constitutional provision that empowers a federal judge to jail Ms. Davis for contempt is the authority granted by Article III of the U.S. Constitution. Article III establishes the federal judicial system, including the Supreme Court and other federal courts that Congress may establish. It is the exercise of judicial power and review, as well as the ability of the courts to interpret the law, which in some cases results in the enforcement of court decisions.
Judicial review is a critical legal mechanism that allows federal courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative actions and to ensure compliance with Supreme Court rulings. When lower courts or individuals fail to comply with these rulings, the courts can utilize their power to enforce orders through various means, including the power to hold parties in contempt of court, which can result in fines or imprisonment.
The courts rely on the executive branch to enforce their decisions. Although historically there have been instances where presidents, like Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, have ignored Supreme Court decisions, it is generally accepted that the executive branch has the duty to enforce the judiciary's rulings. When court orders are disregarded, a judge can use the power of contempt to ensure that judicial decisions are treated as the supreme law of the land, as intended by the Constitution's establishment of the Supreme Court's central role in the U.S. legal system.