What is the process for a Supreme Court case to be officially reviewed?

The process for officially reviewing a Supreme Court case begins with the filing of a petition for a writ of certiorari. This is a formal request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision. For the Supreme Court to agree to hear the case, at least four of the nine justices must vote in favor of granting the petition, which is commonly referred to as the "rule of four." This requirement ensures that not every case brought forward will be heard by the Supreme Court, allowing the justices to focus on cases that have broader implications for constitutional law, federal law, or significant legal principles.

The other options reflect different aspects of the judicial process but do not specifically represent the formal procedure for a Supreme Court case to be reviewed. A request for an appeal by the defendant does not directly initiate Supreme Court review, as appeals can occur at various levels of courts prior to reaching the Supreme Court. Recommendations from the Judicial Conference are not part of the procedure for the Supreme Court’s review, as they primarily deal with administrative issues within the judiciary. Lastly, while briefs are indeed submitted by both parties after the case is accepted for review, this step occurs after the petition for certiorari has been granted and is not a part of the initial