How Cases Reach the U.S. Supreme Court
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Original
Jurisdiction
Appellate Jurisdiction
Appeal
Request from party who
disagrees with decision
of a three-judge U.S.
District Court that issued
or denied an injunction.
Certification
Request from U.S.
Court of Appeals
to provide instructions
on how to hear a case.
Certiorari
Four justices may vote to issue writ of certiorari.
Court considers request.
Request to hear case from party who wishes lower court decision reversed.
Request from party who
disagrees with decision
of a three-judge U.S.
District Court that issued
or denied an injunction.
Dispute between
two states
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U.S. Court of
Appeals hears
a case.
U.S. Court
of Appeals
Three-Judge
U.S. District
U.S. District
Court
Dispute over matters of
apportionment or as
otherwise required by
act of Congress
Dispute over civil and
criminal matters
Decides case involving
federal question.
Court of Appeals
Federal Circuit
Court of Appeals
Armed Services
State Court of
Last Resort
Special Courts
(Claims, Trade, Veterans)
Military
Courts
State Trial
Court
Dispute involving
military justice
Dispute over civil
and criminal matters
Dispute over claims,
trade, or veterans