S.C process for case hearings

Step one

Petition for review: defendant pleads for Supreme Court to take their case

Step two

conference: law clerks review cases + bring them to the justice they work for (write summaries)

Step three

Rule of Four: 4 justices have to agree to hear cases for it to come before the court

Step four

Writ of Certiorari: justices order for all information concerning a case to be sent (petition granted)

Step five

Amicus briefs: people not directly involved in the case give opinions about a case (ruling may affect them)

Step six

Oral arguments: 2 parties bring their “side” to the Court (each given 30 mins)

Step seven

Conference: justices discuss the case together + give initial “vote”

Step eight

Written decisions: opinions of justices are given and spread