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The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference. Freedom of expression consists of the rights to freedom of speech, press, assembly and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and the implied rights of association and belief. The Supreme Court tells us how far these rights may be extended.
Supreme Court
Supreme Court
Yes, of course it's legal to petition the US Supreme Court. When discussing Supreme Court cases, it's important to realize "petition" means to file an appeal of a case already decided by the lower courts. It does not mean to send a signature petition in protest or support of a decision. You are within your legal rights to send such a document, but the Court is not required to read it.
Yes. Due to the volume of petitions, the Supreme Court denies 98-99% of them.
US Supreme Court cases are initiated when a minimum of four justices agree to grant a petition for writ of certiorari.
There are various steps that lead to a Supreme Court hearing. First of all, the case begins in the lower courts. If unhappy with the decision reached in this court, the case can be appealed before US Court of Appeals. If this doesn't go well, the defendant can request a rehearing or petition the Supreme Court. A petition of certiorari has to be filed, this will ask the Supreme Court to hear the case. At this point, the Court will either agree to hear the case, or reject it.
as a non-citizen, Scott did not have the right to file suit in federal court
no
Petition for a writ of certiorari For more information, see Related Questions, below.
The Court allowed him to file it in forma pauperis, which meant that the Court would waive the fees generally associated with such a petition. Generally, the Court dismisses most of these petitions; Gideon's was among those that it did not dismiss.
George W. Spicer has written: 'The Supreme Court and fundamental freedoms'