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The Supreme Court is the most important court in our country. The definition of Supreme is: The authority or an office, or something holding it. Superior to all others. "a unified force with a supreme commander".
The Supreme Court hears and settles significant cases that other courts have often already given a ruling on. The justices of the Supreme Court will agree or disagree with the rulings that were given in the lower court. In some cases, the Supreme Court may give ruling that the law does not follow the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court then can make a ruling that it is no longer a law. The Supreme Court agrees or disagrees and makes the case final.
It is important to understand not all cases can be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. In order to have the case heard, the case must involve an issue of federal law or otherwise fall within the jurisdiction of federal courts. If a case involves only issues of that particular state, then It would stay within that states court system. The first step to having a case heard in front of the Supreme Court would be an attorney would have to file a lawsuit to the local state or federal court. The judge would hear the case before making his or her decision. If the judge who heard the case decides on the case and you don't agree with the decision or ruling, you can then appeal your case to a higher court. When you have appealed your case as far as possible, you can consider bringing that case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Every year, the Supreme Court receives approximately 10,000 petitions, but only agrees to hear about 80 of those petitions. Four of the nine justices must agree to hear a case. Once that has been decided on, the justices have several factors that they consider before hearing a case:
1. Does the case resolve a conflict of law?
2. Is the case important due to the fact it is an important social issue?
3. Do the cases interest the justices?
4. The Supreme Court will hear cases that lower courts disregard.