SCOTUS

Writ of Certiorari

An order by an appellate court to the lower court to send all records of the original trial, indicating that the appellate court will review the case.

Shadow/Emergency Docket

A process by which SCOTUS takes an emergency case without a lengthy review process, often without oral arguments or public explanations.

Circuit Court

Courts where jury trials are held, generally handling serious criminal and major civil cases.

Rule of Four

The principle that if four justices agree to grant certiorari, the case will be placed on the Court’s docket.

Solicitor General

The individual representing the U.S. government in court, particularly at the Supreme Court.

Merits Docket

The list of cases resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court after full briefing and oral arguments.

Judiciary Act of 1925

An act that reduced the Supreme Court's workload by allowing justices to choose which cases to hear.

Discuss List

A list of cases that Justices have decided to talk about in conference, if not discussed, it goes to the dead list.

Rule of Lenity

A principle requiring courts to interpret ambiguous criminal statutes in favor of the defendant.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Legal documents filed by non-parties with interest in a case, providing diverse perspectives or arguments.

Majority Opinion

A written judgement explaining the agreement of the majority of justices in a SCOTUS case.

Oral Arguments

Opportunities for Justices to ask questions and for attorneys to present significant arguments.

Reasons to Grant Certiorari

Factors such as circuit conflict, importance, federal involvement, and egregious legal errors.

Reasons to Deny Certiorari

Factors including lack of authority, absurd claims, and error correction.

Number of Cases SCOTUS Grants Certiorari

Approximately 80 cases per year.

Number of Justices on the Supreme Court

9 Justices serve on the Supreme Court, including Justice Roberts and Justice Jackson.

Textualism

An approach to legal interpretation focusing on the ordinary meaning of the text without historical context.

Five Tools of Statutory Interpretation

Methods including ordinary meaning, broader context, canons of construction, legislative history, and implementation.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion expressing disagreement with the majority opinion by one or more judges.

Purposivism

A theory of statutory interpretation focusing on the statute's purpose along with ordinary meaning and historical context.

Role of the Chief Justice

Includes presiding over the Supreme Court, managing administration, and designating majority opinion writers.