Lau v. Nichols, 414 US 563 (1974)
Lau was was a unanimous (9-0) decision of the Burger Court; Senior Associate Justice William O. Douglas wrote the opinion of the Court.
Chief Justice
Warren E. Burger
Associate Justices
William O. Douglas
William J. Brennan, Jr.
Potter Stewart
Byron White
Thurgood Marshall
Harry Blackmun
Lewis Powell, Jr.
William Rehnquist
Opinions
Majority: Justice Douglas, joined by Justices Brennan, Marshall, Powell and Rehnquist
Concurring: Justice Stewart, joined by Chief Justice Burger and Justice Blackmun
Concurring: Justice White
Concurring: Justice Blackmun, joined by Chief Justice Burger
the court will accept a case if for of the nine Justices agree to do so
In keeping with tradition, the US Supreme Court justices wear black robes over their street clothes.
The US Supreme Court determines whether to hear a case according to the Rule of Four. If at least four of the nine Justices of the Supreme Court agree, they will grant certiorari and hear the case.
It requires the vote of at least four of the nine US Supreme Court justices to grant a petition for writ of certiorari. If four Justices agree, the Supreme Court will accept the case. This is referred to as the "Rule of Four."
US Supreme Court cases are initiated when a minimum of four justices agree to grant a petition for writ of certiorari.
the court will accept a case if for of the nine Justices agree to do so
the court will accept a case if for of the nine Justices agree to do so
The US Supreme Court determines whether to hear a case according to the Rule of Four. If at least four of the nine Justices of the Supreme Court agree, they will grant certiorari and hear the case.
In keeping with tradition, the US Supreme Court justices wear black robes over their street clothes.
The US Supreme Court determines whether to hear a case according to the Rule of Four. If at least four of the nine Justices of the Supreme Court agree, they will grant certiorari and hear the case.
The justices of the US Supreme Court vote on each case that is brought before them. The decision of the court is whatever a majority of the justices agree on. Each justice has an equal say in the decision.
US Supreme Court Justices should only compare the case in the light of the US Constitution.
The Rule of Four means four of the nine justices must agree to hear a case in order for it to be accepted on appeal. If four or more justices think the case is worth the Court's time, then the Supreme Court will issue a writ of certiorari to the lower court ordering them to send the case files to the Supreme Court, and the case will be placed on the docket.
The Supreme Court must have a simple majority to render a decision in a case.
In a case before the Supreme Court, the law itself is on trial and the justices determine whether the law is guilty of violating the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.
Typically, all nine justices of the US Supreme Court hear a case together; however, many cases have been decided with fewer justices. Federal law requires a quorum of at least six justices hear each case.
Yes, a simple majority of the justices is enough to render a Court opinion. In the U.S. Supreme Court, for example, there are nine justices, and a majority vote of at least five justices is required to decide a case and issue a written opinion.