US Supreme Court: Steps, Cases & Ruling Impact

[Soaring Crane]

Hello!

I was just reading my government textbook, and I was a bit uncertain about the steps for deciding a major case--mostly the correct order they are in.

Does anyone know if this order is correct?

1 Lawyers must submit written briefs.
2 They must then present oral arguments before the Court.
3 The 9 justices meet to debate each case, express views and conclusions, and vote on a decision.
4 A majority opinion may be debated and rewritten several times before the final decision is announced.
5 A written opinion is issued that announces the Court's ruling and explains its reasoning.

My next question focuses on the ways cases come to the Court. Does this include a writ of certiorari and whether or not the case is on appeal?

My last question revolves around the fact that a case's final decision will make a difference. Does this fact influence the Court's decisions or is it part of the criteria for determining Supreme Court authority in cases?

I appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

[sweetcaroline6]

sorry, this has nothing to do with your question. I just can't work out how one posts a question on this forum. do you need special membership. I've just signed up and can't see anywhere on the website to post a query like yours. apologies again but if you could take a moment to explain the process.
many thanks

 

[motai]

My next question focuses on the ways cases come to the Court. Does this include a writ of certiorari and whether or not the case is on appeal?

A writ of certiorari must be presented for a case to be heard at a higher level. Generally it goes from county, circuit, District Courts of Appeal, and then Supreme court.

My last question revolves around the fact that a case's final decision will make a difference. Does this fact influence the Court's decisions or is it part of the criteria for determining Supreme Court authority in cases?

The U.S. court system, like other court systems, uses common law. This basically dictates that any ruling made on a case will be used in the future to determine future cases (thus giving it power). Any order made by the court is *usually* going to be done. This does not always happen, as evident by Brown v. Board of Education. The northern schools integrated at a much faster pace than the southern schools.

The Supreme Court rules on whatever they choose to bring up. Since thousands of appeals are sent their way, they have the authority to choose which cases to consider.

 

[Soaring Crane]

Caroline, I sent you a private message.

 

[russ_watters]

sorry, this has nothing to do with your question. I just can't work out how one posts a question on this forum. do you need special membership. I've just signed up and can't see anywhere on the website to post a query like yours. apologies again but if you could take a moment to explain the process.
many thanks

Back in the main page of the General Discussion (and every) forum is a "New Thread" button. Press it to post a new thread - and welcome to PF!

 

[ohwilleke]

Hello!

I was just reading my government textbook, and I was a bit uncertain about the steps for deciding a major case--mostly the correct order they are in.

Does anyone know if this order is correct?

1 Lawyers must submit written briefs.
2 They must then present oral arguments before the Court.
3 The 9 justices meet to debate each case, express views and conclusions, and vote on a decision.
4 A majority opinion may be debated and rewritten several times before the final decision is announced.
5 A written opinion is issued that announces the Court's ruling and explains its reasoning.

Basically, yes.

My next question focuses on the ways cases come to the Court. Does this include a writ of certiorari and whether or not the case is on appeal?

Most cases come by writ of certiorari which is a request that the Supreme Court reconsider a U.S. Court of Appeals or State Supreme Court case (or other final and unappealable decision in a state court system) which has no precedential value if denied. It is not necessary to request en banc review by the U.S. Court of Appeals although this is often done. A small class of cases are heard in the U.S. Supreme Court immediately without being heard by a lower court, then referred to a special master who in turn reports back to the Supreme Court (mostly disputes between states and cases involving diplomats but also habeas corpus cases where there is no other proper venue). There are also a handful of cases which go directly from a trial court (usually a special three judge panel) to the U.S. Supreme Court -- these are usually election cases, redistricting cases or cases involving statutes that the Congress anticipated in advance would raise constitutional issues on their face.

My last question revolves around the fact that a case's final decision will make a difference. Does this fact influence the Court's decisions or is it part of the criteria for determining Supreme Court authority in cases? Both

I appreciate any help. Thanks.

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