Typically, whoever lost the last appeal petitions the Supreme Court to hear the case; however, either party may file.
If the Court grants certiorari (agrees to hear the case), the appellant (party appealing the case) has an advantage when filing briefs and during oral arguments because they get to go first and rebut (answer) the opposing party's argument after the other party has spoken. If a case is clearly headed to the Supreme Court on appeal, both parties attempt to gain an edge by preempting the other.
When the US Supreme Court agrees to hear a case, it issues a legal order called a "writ of certiorari" telling the lower court to send up the case files.
When a party to a case wants to request the US Supreme Court review his or her case, the attorney files a "petition for a writ of certiorari." If the Court decides to hear a case, they "grant cert(iorari)" to the petitioner and issue a Writ of Certiorari to the lower courts, ordering all case files for review.For more information, see Related Questions, below.
The case must be unique and important in order for the Supreme Court to accept the case. The case can also be accepted if it is to resolve a conflict of law.
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The Chief Justice speaks first because he (or she) presides over the Court. The other justices traditionally speak in order of seniority, or time on the Court.
When the US Supreme Court agrees to hear a case, it issues a legal order called a "writ of certiorari" telling the lower court to send up the case files.
The US Supreme Court issues a writ of certiorari, or an order to the court from which the case is being appealed, to send the case records to the Supreme Court.In reality, the Supreme Court no longer issues a formal writ after granting certiorari; requesting files is now an administrative procedure handled by the Clerk of Court as a matter of routine.
AnswerCase files and briefs.Contrary to popular belief, the Supreme Court does not receive a Writ of Certiorari when it accepts a case; the court issues a Writ of Certiorari, which is an order to the lower courts to send case records to the US Supreme Court for review.ExplanationA formal request for review by the US Supreme Court is called a petition for a writ of certiorari. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, they grant certiorariand issue a writ of certiorari to the lower court.A writ of certiorari is an order from a higher appellate court to a lower court demanding a certified record of a particular case so the higher court (in this case, the US Supreme Court) can review the lower court's decision.When the lower court receives the writ, they send the case files to the Court. Meanwhile, the attorneys for both parties submit briefs, documents that present the points and arguments for each side of the case.The Supreme Court receives a petition for a writ of certiorari from one party to the case.The Supreme Court decides whether to hear the case: if they agree, they grant certiorari; if they refuse, they deny certiorari.If the Supreme Court grants certiorari, it sends a writ of certiorari to the lower court.The Supreme Court receives case files from the lower court.The Supreme Court receives briefs from the parties to the case.The Supreme Court may receive other documents, such as amicus briefs, etc.
When a party to a case wants to request the US Supreme Court review his or her case, the attorney files a "petition for a writ of certiorari." If the Court decides to hear a case, they "grant cert(iorari)" to the petitioner and issue a Writ of Certiorari to the lower courts, ordering all case files for review.For more information, see Related Questions, below.
When an appeal is pending before the US Supreme Court, the lower court ruling is typically put on hold or stayed until the Supreme Court makes a final decision. This means that the lower court's ruling does not have immediate effect and is effectively paused until the Supreme Court resolves the case.
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, LOCAL COURT, HIGH COURT AND MAGISTRATE COURT. These are not in order
Yes, the US Supreme Court can evaluate federal laws or Acts of Congress and presidential Executive Orders and declare them unlawful or unconstitutional.It is important to understand that the Supreme Court can only declare a congressional Act or presidential Executive Order as unconstitutional only if it has already been signed into law and is relevant to a case before the Court. Contrary to popular belief, the Supreme Court cannot nullify any law or order unless someone brings a lawsuit directly or indirectly challenging it and the Supreme Court accepts the case on appeal.
The "document" is a court order called a "writ of certiorari."
Constitution, treaties, or Federal Laws
A petition for a writ of certiorari. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, they grant cert(iorari); otherwise, they issue an order declare cert(iorari) denied. After the Court accepts a case, it issues a writ of certiorari to the last court to handle the case, ordering the relevant files be sent to the Supreme Court. The case itself is said to be "on certiorari from [name of lower court]" (e.g., On certiorari from the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit).For more information, see Related Questions, below.
A writ of certiorari is an order that allows the Supreme Court to review lower court cases. This writ is not limited to the Supreme Court, it may be used by any appellate court needing to review a case.