Can I appeal my case to the Supreme Court?

You can petition for certiorari, but review is discretionary and granted in only a small fraction of cases. The Court takes cases to resolve conflicts among circuits or questions of national importance, not to correct individual errors.

What does a denial of certiorari mean?

That the Court declined to hear the case. It is not a ruling on the merits and sets no precedent - the lower court's decision simply stands.

Does it hear state law cases?

Only where a federal question is involved. Pure questions of state law end at the state's highest court.

Supreme Court of the United States - Jurisdiction & Certiorari

Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States is the final court of appeal in the federal system and for federal questions arising in state courts. Its jurisdiction is almost entirely discretionary: parties petition for a writ of certiorari, and the Court grants review in only a small fraction of petitions each term. It is not a court of error correction, and it does not exist to give every losing party a second appeal.

What it does

Decides petitions for a writ of certiorari at its discretion
Resolves conflicts between the federal circuits and important federal questions
Hears federal questions arising from the highest state courts
Exercises original jurisdiction in a narrow set of cases, including disputes between states

Matters it hears

Constitutional questions
Conflicts among the circuits on federal law
Federal statutory interpretation of national importance
Federal questions decided by state supreme courts
Disputes between states, under original jurisdiction

Appeals & review

There is no further appeal. Review is discretionary, and the overwhelming majority of certiorari petitions are denied without comment - a denial is not a ruling on the merits.

Appeal and review deadlines are short and strictly applied. Treat the decision date as the start of a clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal my case to the Supreme Court?: You can petition for certiorari, but review is discretionary and granted in only a small fraction of cases. The Court takes cases to resolve conflicts among circuits or questions of national importance, not to correct individual errors.
What does a denial of certiorari mean?: That the Court declined to hear the case. It is not a ruling on the merits and sets no precedent - the lower court's decision simply stands.
Does it hear state law cases?: Only where a federal question is involved. Pure questions of state law end at the state's highest court.

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General information about jurisdiction and process, not legal advice. LegalCounselNearMe is not a law firm and is not affiliated with Supreme Court of the United States. Procedures, forms and fees change — the official site is authoritative.