Isabella Carter
The Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions each year, but only hears about 1% of them. The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction cases are those involving disputes between states or disputes arising among ambassadors and other high-ranking ministers. Appellate jurisdiction means that the Court has the authority to review the decisions of lower courts. Most of the cases heard by the Supreme Court are appeals from lower courts. The Supreme Court may also hear cases that answer important constitutional questions, like the extent of state powers, or cases that will affect the whole nation, such as those dealing with an individual’s right to expression and the freedom of the press.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of petitions received annually | 7,000-10,000 |
| Number of cases heard annually | 65-70 |
| Number of cases heard daily | 2 |
| Number of hours of oral argument per case | 1 |
| Number of justices required to vote to accept a case | 4 of 9 |
| Number of justices required to vote for a stay | 5 of 9 |
| Types of cases | "Original jurisdiction" actions between states, or between states and the federal government; cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; cases that answer important constitutional questions, like the extent of state powers; cases that affect the whole nation, such as those dealing with an individual's right to expression and the freedom of the press to operate; cases that harmonize conflicting decisions in federal Circuit courts |
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What You'll Learn
Cases involving disputes between states
The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction means that the Supreme Court is the first and only court to hear a case. The Constitution limits original jurisdiction cases to those involving disputes between states or disputes arising among ambassadors and other high-ranking ministers.
The Supreme Court receives about 10,000 petitions a year and hears about 65 to 70 cases annually. The Justices decide which cases to hear, with four out of nine justices needing to determine that a case has merit for the Court to issue a writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court usually only hears cases that could have national significance, might harmonise conflicting decisions in federal Circuit Courts, and/or could have precedential value.
Historically, the most common disputes between states have involved boundaries, lands, and river rights. For example, in Texas v. New Jersey, the Court adjudicated a multistate dispute about which state should be allowed to escheat intangible property consisting of uncollected small debts held by a corporation. The Court emphasised that the states could not constitutionally provide a rule of settlement and that no federal statute governed the matter. In another case in 1952, Arizona sued California over water from the Colorado River, with Arizona ultimately prevailing in the Court's decision in 1963.
In addition to boundary and water rights disputes, the Supreme Court has also handled cases involving the diversion or pollution of water resources, as well as disputes over jurisdiction.
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Cases concerning high-ranking officials
Constitutional courts hear a variety of cases, including those concerning high-ranking officials. The Supreme Court, for instance, has heard several landmark cases involving high-ranking government officials and their actions. One such case is the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, where the Court ruled against segregation in the Topeka, Kansas school system, reversing its previous Plessy decision. The Court asserted that "separate schools are inherently unequal." This case had a significant impact on racial equality in education.
Another notable example is the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan case, where the Montgomery, Alabama police commissioner, L.B. Sullivan, sued the New York Times for printing an advertisement containing false statements. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the newspaper, protecting their right to publish under the First Amendment. This case set a precedent for libel cases involving public officials, establishing that actual malice must be proven for a successful claim.
The Court has also heard cases involving the President and executive officers, such as in Morrison v. Olson (1988). This case addressed the balance of powers and the appointment of independent counsel, concluding that Congress could grant authority to the judicial branch to appoint independent counsel without violating the separation of powers, even if they are members of the executive branch.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has heard cases concerning the actions of governors and state legislatures. For instance, in Cooper v. Aaron (1958), the Court ruled that states could not nullify decisions of federal courts. This case arose when several government officials in southern states, including the governor and legislature of Alabama, refused to follow the Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.
Constitutional courts play a crucial role in interpreting and enforcing the law, ensuring that the actions of high-ranking officials adhere to constitutional principles and protecting the rights of individuals and institutions. These cases often have far-reaching implications for public policy and societal norms.
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Appeals from lower courts
The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction means that the Supreme Court is the first and only court to hear a case. The Constitution limits original jurisdiction cases to those involving disputes between states or disputes arising among ambassadors and other high-ranking ministers.
Appellate jurisdiction means that the Supreme Court has the authority to review the decisions of lower courts. Most of the cases the Supreme Court hears are appeals from lower courts. Parties who are not satisfied with the decision of a lower court must petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case. The primary means to petition the court for review is to ask it to grant a writ of certiorari. This is a request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review. The Supreme Court receives about 10,000 petitions for writs of certiorari annually and hears about 65-70 cases per year.
The Supreme Court usually only hears cases that could have national significance, might harmonize conflicting decisions in the federal Circuit courts, and/or could have precedential value. In other words, by settling circuit splits, the Supreme Court promotes the value of legal uniformity throughout the nation. This ensures that the laws are applied equally to all people, no matter where they live.
In California, there are two types of state courts: trial courts (also called "superior courts") and appellate courts, which are made up of the Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court. People who lose a case or part of a case in a trial court can ask a higher court (called an "appellate court") to review the trial court’s decision. Appeals of family law cases, probate cases, juvenile cases, felony cases, and civil cases for more than $35,000 are heard in the Court of Appeal.
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Cases of national significance
The US Supreme Court receives about 7,000–10,000 petitions annually, but only hears about 65–70 cases per year. The Supreme Court will only hear a case if it could have national significance, might harmonize conflicting decisions in federal Circuit courts, or could have precedential value.
The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction means that the Supreme Court is the first and only court to hear a case. Original jurisdiction cases are rare and are limited to those involving disputes between states or disputes arising among ambassadors and other high-ranking ministers.
Appellate jurisdiction means that the Court has the authority to review the decisions of lower courts. Most of the cases the Supreme Court hears are appeals from lower courts. The Supreme Court may hear a case if a federal question has been decided in a state court and the litigant has no further remedy within the state.
The Supreme Court's term typically begins on the first Monday in October and goes through to the Sunday before the first Monday in October of the following year. Oral arguments are heard from October through April, typically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. During each two-week session, two cases are heard each day, with each case allotted an hour for arguments.
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Cases with conflicting decisions in federal courts
The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the American judicial system, and it has the power to decide appeals on all cases brought in federal court or in state court. The Supreme Court receives about 7,000–10,000 petitions annually but only hears about 65–70 cases per year. The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction means that the Supreme Court is the first and only court to hear a case. The Constitution limits original jurisdiction cases to those involving disputes between states or disputes arising among ambassadors and other high-ranking ministers.
The Supreme Court usually only hears cases that could have national significance, might harmonize conflicting decisions in the federal Circuit courts, and/or could have precedential value. When lower courts decide cases differently, it can lead to confusion. By taking a case that involves an issue that has led to differing opinions in the lower courts, the Supreme Court creates a precedent that every court in the country must follow. This ensures that the laws are applied equally to all people, no matter where they live.
Most of the cases the Supreme Court hears are appeals from lower courts. The primary means to petition the court for review is to ask it to grant a writ of certiorari, which is a legal order from the high court for the lower court to send the records of the case for review. Certiorari is not often granted; less than 1% of appeals to the high court are heard. Four of the nine Justices must vote to accept a case, and they each determine how they will vote to accept or reject each certiorari petition. Eight of the nine Justices make use of a "cert pool" system, where their clerks take turns writing memorandums.
There are 13 Circuit Courts of Appeals, 12 geographic circuits, and the Federal Circuit. Cases from district courts are appealed to the United States Court of Appeals, which has multiple judges ranging from six on the First Circuit to 29 on the Ninth Circuit. Circuit court judges are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Any case may be appealed to the circuit court once the district court has finalized a decision.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitutional courts hear cases that answer important constitutional questions, like the extent of state powers, and cases that will affect the whole nation, such as those dealing with an individual’s right to expression and the freedom of the press to operate.
Original jurisdiction means that the Supreme Court is the first and only court to hear a case. Original jurisdiction cases involve disputes between states or disputes arising among ambassadors and other high-ranking ministers. Appellate jurisdiction means that the Court has the authority to review the decisions of lower courts.
The Supreme Court receives about 7,000-10,000 petitions a year and hears about 65-70 cases a year.
The Supreme Court justices themselves have almost total control over which cases they decide to hear each year. The justices use the Rule of Four to decide if they will take the case. If four of the nine justices determine that a case has merit, they will issue a writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court usually only hears cases that could have national significance, might harmonize conflicting decisions in federal Circuit courts, and/or could have precedential value.
A writ of certiorari is a legal order from the high court for a lower court to send the records of the case to them for review.
