Judge: do you understand the charges?
Accused: I cannot answer that question until you provide facts in evidence that this court has jurisdiction!
- 18 U.S. Code § 5 - United States defined. The term “United States”, as used in this title in a territorial sense, includes all places and waters, continental or insular, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, except the Canal Zone.
- Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 1(b)(9) “State” includes the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
- Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 81(d)(2) “State” Defined. The term “state” includes, where appropriate, the
District of Columbia and any United States commonwealth or territory.
- 26 U.S. Code § 7701(10) State. The term "State" shall be construed to include the District of Columbia, where such construction is necessary to carry out provisions of this title.
American Bar Association Compendium of Professional Responsibility: Rules and Standards (2022), page 294 “Definitions” (5) “State” includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other federal territories
and possessions.
"but the term [State] is also used to express the idea of a people or political community, as distinguished from the government. In this sense, it is used in the clause which provides that the United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a republican form of government and shall protect each of them against invasion." See Texas v White 74 U.S.
700
