In what manner does a case typically reach the Supreme Court?

A case typically reaches the Supreme Court through a petition for certiorari after decisions have been made in lower courts. This process is essential because the Supreme Court primarily hears appeals of decisions made by lower courts, specifically federal circuit courts and, in some cases, state supreme courts.

The petition for certiorari is a formal request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision. The Court receives thousands of these petitions each year, but it accepts a limited number, usually focusing on cases that involve significant constitutional issues, conflicts among different courts, or other important questions of law.

This pathway underscores the role of the Supreme Court as an appellate court aimed at maintaining uniformity in the interpretation of the law across the United States. It is not through a trial at a district court, a vote by the executive branch, or a resolution from Congress that a case is brought to the Supreme Court; those processes pertain to different aspects of the judicial and legislative systems. The certiorari process allows the Court to select cases that will have the largest impact on the law and society.