1. The Supreme Court
GOVT Notes 5-2

2. Supreme Court Justices
9 Justices serve on the SC
No term limits, SC Justices may serve for life
President Nominates Justices, Senate Confirms

3. Routes to the Supreme Court
Writ of Certiorari: SC wants to hear a case, asks lower court to send all records Either party (side) can petition for a writ
Must be an error in lower court OR a serious Constitutional issue
Requires Rule of Four: 4 of 9 Justices agree to hear the case
SC gets 8,000 appeals each year, hears cases
They hear 1% of cases

4. Court Definitions In forma pauperis:
Court pays an attorney to represent a person
Brief: written document arguing one side of the case
both sides file briefs
Interest Groups file amicus curiae briefs (friend of the court)

5. Court Definitions Docket: SC’s schedule of cases
Majority Opinion: Decision of the SC with reasons why (5 or more Justices agree)
Dissenting Opinion: Disagree with Majority of SC through written objections

6. Oral Arguments Open to the Public: No Video Recording
Each case is allowed 1 hour for arguments
SC Justices question lawyers on their cases