When does the US Supreme Court hear cases?

Answer 1

The US Supreme Court releases opinions on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and on the third Monday of each sitting. The public is usually alerted a few days prior to an opinion being released, but the specific case name and docket number are kept secret until the formal announcement. This practice may begin as early as October of the new Term and typically ends in late June or early July of the following year.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 2

The US Supreme Court typically hears cases on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, beginning on the first Monday in October and ending (usually) in the last week of April.

When operating under their standard schedule, they hear two sets of oral arguments per day, beginning at 10:00 and ending at noon. Each set of arguments receives one hour of the justices' attention, unless they have granted leave for time extensions, or to hear arguments from the United States (if not already a party to the case) or other amici ("friends" who are not party to the case but have a significant interest in its outcome.

On occasion, the justices will hear cases pre-term, in September, or on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday afternoons, depending on how full their docket is and the schedules of those who must be present.

Answer 3

The US Supreme Court releases opinions on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and on the third Monday of each sitting. The public is usually alerted a few days prior to an opinion being released, but the specific case name and docket number are kept secret until the formal announcement. This practice may begin as early as October of the new Term and typically ends in late June or early July of the following year.

Answer 4

The US Supreme Court releases opinions on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and on the third Monday of each sitting. The public is usually alerted a few days prior to an opinion being released, but the specific case name and docket number are kept secret until the formal announcement.

The justices always convening morning sessions at 10:00 am. First, the Marshall of the Court announces their entrance, then they are seated in order of seniority.

When an opinion released, the Chief Justice announces the docket number, title, and name of the justice presenting the outcome (if it's someone other than him). The primary author of the opinion may then recite the written opinion verbatim, read a specially prepared summary, or talk about the case extemporaneously.

If no arguments are being heard that day, the Court recesses after the opinion is rendered.

The Court publishes a preliminary copy of the written opinion, called a "bench opinion," which is distributed free of charge in the Supreme Court building. Bench opinions are also distributed to a few select digital outlets, such as law schools. A few days later, the Court publishes the "slip opinion," a proofread and corrected update to the bench opinion which supersedes the bench opinion in authority. The slip opinion is also published on the Supreme Court website (see Related Links).

(Slip opinions are later superseded by "preliminary prints," then by the bound version. In case of discrepancies, the most recently released version is considered authoritative. If discrepancies occur between the printed and electronic versions, the print version is authoritative.)

Answer 5

When the justices are sitting, opinions are usually released on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and on the third Monday of each session (no arguments are heard that day). In May and June, when the Court has finished hearing oral arguments for the Term, opinions are often released only once a week, usually on Monday, unless Monday is a holiday.