Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- Certiorari
- Supreme Court of the United States - Procedures and power
- United States - The judicial branch
- Supreme Court of India - Types of jurisdiction
- Supreme Court of the United States: Top Questions
- United States Court of Appeals
- Appeal
- Supreme Court of the United States - Size, membership, and organization
- Procedural law - Appeals and other methods of review
How does a case move from a federal district court to the Supreme Court?
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Supreme Court of the United States
The west facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
In the United States federal judicial system, cases typically follow a structured path from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.
The Path of a Case
- Federal District Court: Most federal cases begin at the United States District Court level, where a trial is held and a judgment is rendered.1
- U.S. Court of Appeals: A party dissatisfied with the district court's decision may appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for their respective circuit. These intermediate courts review the trial record for errors of law.2
- Supreme Court: After a decision by the court of appeals, the losing party may petition the Supreme Court for a hearing.1
Seeking Supreme Court Review
The Supreme Court has almost total discretion over its caseload. To request a review, a party files a petition for a writ of certiorari. The Court receives thousands of these requests annually but hears only a small fraction. Under the "Rule of Four," at least four of the nine justices must agree to grant the writ for the Court to hear the case. If granted, the Court reviews the lower-court records and briefs to decide the matter.314