To hear means to tell the accused what crimes they have been charged with.
They're actually saying "oyez, oyez." It comes from Anglo-Norman and loosely translated it means "hear ye, hear ye." The Supreme Court is the only court that uses this term, and it's probably because of tradition.
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Courts are required to hear certain cases when they have mandatory jurisdiction.
appellate jurisdiction
Hear ye, hear ye
Appellate jurisdiction means a court has jurisdiction to hear an appeal from the trial court.
The term is a bit ambiguous, but normally it means a case that another judge was supposed to hear but for some reason they cannot and this judge has the 'time' or ability.
The justices circulate cases they are interested in among the members of the court. If four or more members indicate a desire to hear the case then the entire court will hear the case.
You can read all opinions from the 2008 Term on the Supreme Court website, via the Related Link, below.
Appeal as a matter of right means the appellate court has to hear your appeal, or that you have the right to appeal. Discretionary appeal means the appellate court decides whether or not it will hear your appeal.