Why is the US Supreme Court so selective?

Answer 1

In 2010, the US Supreme Court received more than 8,000 petitions for a writ of certiorari, or requests for appeals of lower court decisions. Nine Justice cannot handle the volume of cases that reach their docket each year; instead, they choose 75-100 of the cases most important to constitutional or federal law.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 2

In 2008, the US Supreme Court received 7,738 petitions for a writ of certiorari. Nine Justice cannot handle the volume of cases that reach their docket each year; instead, they choose 75-100 of the cases most important to constitutional or federal law.

William Rehnquist's book, The Supreme Court, describes a period of time when the Court was in its infancy and it did try to hear all of the cases before it, but it was unable to keep up.

Answer 3

(A) Because of the sheer number of cases they are asked to hear. (B) (Because many of the cases could have been/should have been resolved at a lower level of the Federal Court System. C) Because (in their estimation) not all the cases involve (unresolved) Constitutional issues.

Answer 4

Yes, for the most part. The Supreme Court must review all petitions for writ of certiorari (requests), but has complete discretion over the cases it chooses to hear under appellate jurisdiction.

The only cases the Supreme Court currently hears under original jurisdiction are disputes between the states. These cases are mandatory.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 5

Two major reasons for a denial of certiorari:

1. Time: they can only fit so many cases into a day or a week or a month, and they only have so many days (and weeks and month).
2. Necessity: if the case is not one of importance regarding the law or the interpretation thereof, or if there is not enough good reason to hear the case, the Court will choose to ignore it.

Answer 6

Cases are not heard at the supreme court for reasons. Supreme court is the last court that people can go to. Each year the supreme court receives ten thousand petitions and will only hear around 75-80.

Answer 7

The US Supreme Court only hears approximately 1-2% of the appeals it receives each year. The majority are selected because they involve unresolved constitutional questions or issues where two or more Circuit Courts have arrived at conflicting decisions, or where a State Supreme Court has made a decision contrary to the Court's interpretation of the Constitution.

Answer 8

because most cases dont get that far because they are dicede by lower courts

Answer 9

In 2010, the US Supreme Court received more than 8,000 petitions for a writ of certiorari, or requests for appeals of lower court decisions. Nine Justice cannot handle the volume of cases that reach their docket each year; instead, they choose 75-100 of the cases most important to constitutional or federal law.