How a case gets to the US Supreme Court

The only way is by surviving "the rule of four".

Most often, the US Supreme Court grants or denies petitions to hear a case after reviewing a written request called a "petition for writ of certiorari". Also called "the writ of cert", it is reviewed by the Justices and granting the petition depends on whether or not it passes "the rule of four". If it does, the case is probably one of three types: a case of national importance, a case in which a lower court decision has invalidated federal law, or a case involving a split decision in lower courts. Famously, Bush v. Gore was an example of national importance, Gonzales v. Raich was a case in which a lower court invalidated federal law, and Obergefell v. Hodges was selected by the Court in order to resolve a circuit split decision. By following this protocol of case selection, the Court has been designed to be reactive to legislative decisions made in other branches of government, as opposed to an active legislative body that seeks to create and institute new laws. Overall, the result of this design is a Court that prioritizes case selections that will enable them to enforce the uniformity of federal law throughout the country.

[alexporter]

Speeding ticket to the Supreme Court? Wow

[tauntwarrior]

The coolest thing about this video is the fact about the basketball court

[thecrapyearsago]

I knew Supreme made shirts and stuff. Didn't know they had a court

[MartijnMols]

It's not just a court, it's the S U P R E M E court

[cobravenom]

I know someone who actually believes that the Supreme Court is some sort of food buffet.
She's 17.

[surfie]

In Australia it's
Magistrates Court -> District Court -> Supreme Court -> Court Of Appeal -> High Court

[BobJones-kgwc]

So early that there's no one calling Vox liberal propaganda

[iammrbeat]

Excellent job, my friends. Speaking of the Supreme Court, I have a new series called Supreme Court Briefs. I think you all will enjoy.

[TPerm-hjsf]

I am going to take all of you to Supreme Court.

[kamranakrami]

After the sad death of RBG, this has all become much more relevant now...

[JuanPabI]

Wait, so if my state says recreational marijuana is legal, I can still be prosecuted by the federal government?

[skyes]

The highest court of the land is Judge Judy's Court

[antonykodinye]

Vox Videos are easily becoming my favourite videos! I love the editing, i love the attention to detail. Heck i even love the way they are narrated. Keep it up guys!

[dunkmetal]

you guys deserve Oscar for your detailed animation

[MichaelStephenLau]

it's like regular court, but with sour cream and tomatoes.

[Eggmancan]

Where are all the "fake news! liberal propaganda! unsubscribed!" comments? I must be early -_-

[sean]

Vox forgot to mention and imo should have mentioned that the federal SCOTUS can review state supreme court decisions too when there is a genuine constitutional question like whether the death penalty violates the 8th amendment, etc

[thunderbm]

so if i lost a case in a circuit court and wanted to appeal, the sc could just refuse to hear the case ?

[ruvek]

you missed the Court's original jurisdiction, as well as appeals from a 3-judge district court and from state supreme courts.

[bullittsandbullets]

Joe Biden is gonna get some tough payback from Clarence Thomas