Final answer:
Article III of the U.S. Constitution outlines the federal judicial branch. If the U.S. Supreme Court rejects a petition to hear a case, the decision of the lower court will stand and remains in effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
Article That Outlines the Federal Judicial Branch
The article in the Constitution that outlines the federal judicial branch is Article III. This article addresses "the judicial power of the United States," which includes the creation of "one supreme Court," the establishment of the Court's jurisdiction, and delineation between original and appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court primarily operates under appellate jurisdiction but has original jurisdiction in certain rare cases.
Next Steps After the Supreme Court Rejects a Petition
If the U.S. Supreme Court rejects a petition to hear a case, the next step is that the decision of the lower court will stand. This means that the lower court's ruling remains effective, and there is no further appeal to the Supreme Court.