How the Supreme Court decides a case

Process map by Brian. 16 steps, 2 layers. Tags: politics, law, courts, us government.

1. The petitioner: Lose in a lower court and ask the Supreme Court to hear it
2. The nine justices: Do at least four justices vote to take the case?
3. Lawyers on both sides: Both sides file briefs; outside groups file friend-of-the-court briefs
4. The nine justices: Oral argument: the justices question each lawyer
5. The nine justices: Private conference: discuss and take a preliminary vote
6. The nine justices: The most senior justice in the majority assigns the opinion
7. Law clerks: Draft the majority opinion
8. The nine justices: Circulate drafts and negotiate the wording
9. The nine justices: Dissents and concurrences are written
10. The public: The decision is announced
11. The public: It becomes the law of the land until changed
12. The nine justices: The lower court's ruling stands

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