Most of the US Supreme Court appellate cases originate in one the Circuit courts (U.S. Court of Appeals for the [Specific] Circuit), which is the appellate court between the District (trial) Courts and the US Supreme Court. These are not to be confused with the US Circuit Courts that existed between 1789 and 1911, which were primarily trial courts.
On rare occasions, cases may go directly from District (trial) Court to the Supreme Court on direct or expedited appeal, bypassing the Circuit Court. For example, United States v. Nixon, (1973), the dispute over whether the President was required to release the Watergate tapes to the Special Prosecutor, was appealed directly from the District Court. The flag desecration cases tried under the Flag Protection Act of 1989 were appealed directly to the US Supreme Court because Congress had specifically mandated that in the legislation.
Most appeals to the US Supreme Court originate with the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts; however, under special circumstances, cases may be appealed directly from any of the courts listed below:
The US Supreme Court can also hear certain cases on expedited appeal directly from US District Courts. This is most likely to occur when one of the parties is a high-ranking government official, or if Congress has specified an expedited appellate process in a particular statute.
These cases involve the U.S. Constitution, Federal Laws or cases in which the U.S. government is a party, disputes between residents of different states ("diversity" jurisdiction), or matters assigned by federal legislation.
That would include cases between states and where foreign nations are involved.
cases that go directly to the supreme court
The Supreme Court justices hear cases in the courtroom of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC.
If possible, you should cite Supreme Court cases directly from the Court's opinion (preferably in US Reports, but many people use online references), not from secondary sources.
The Supreme Court hears cases which are on final appeal. The Supreme Court also hears cases relating to national elections.
Supreme Court of the United States
There are two special cases that start trial in the United States Supreme Court. Cases involving foreign officials and cases in which a state is a party originate in the Supreme Court.
Yes. Texas has two "supreme courts," although only one carries that name. The Supreme Court of Texas is the highest appellate court for civil and juvenile cases, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest appellate court for criminal cases.
In most cases a Supreme Court decision is permanent. The current Supreme Court can change the decision of a previous Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court alone decides which cases, and how many they will hear.
The Supreme Court alone decides which cases, and how many they will hear.
Cases that appealed from the court of appeal.
One can view the latest Supreme Court cases by visiting the Supreme Court website. On the website one can click on the 'Current Cases' link to view more information.