What cases go directly to the supreme court rather than lower court?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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:

1. US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts
2. US District Courts
3. State supreme courts (or their equivalent)
4. State intermediate appellate courts
5. US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

The U.S. Supreme Court can hear appeals both from the U.S. Courts of Appeals ("Circuit Courts") and the state courts of last resort (often--but not always--called the state's supreme court). The Supreme Court's power to consider appeals from the state courts was confirmed in the case Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, and is meant to ensure some level of uniformity.

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

That would include cases between states and where foreign nations are involved.