📚 Topic Summary
The Supreme Court of the United States has limited time and resources, so it can't hear every case that's appealed to it. The Rule of Four is a Supreme Court practice that permits four of the nine justices to grant a writ of certiorari. This prevents the majority from controlling the Court's docket. A Writ of Certiorari is an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review. It signals that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case.
🧪 Part A: Vocabulary
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Rule of Four |
A. A request for the Supreme Court to hear a case |
| 2. Writ of Certiorari |
B. The list of cases the Supreme Court will hear |
| 3. Docket |
C. Supreme Court agreeing to review a case |
| 4. Appeal |
D. Four justices needed to grant certiorari |
| 5. Petitioner |
E. Applying to a higher court for review of a lower court decision |
Match each term to its definition.
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
The __________ is used by the Supreme Court to decide which cases it will hear. For a case to be heard, at least __________ justices must agree to grant __________. This agreement results in a(n) __________ being issued to the lower court.
Word Bank: Rule of Four, four, Writ of Certiorari.
🧠 Part C: Critical Thinking
Why is the Rule of Four important for minority opinions on the Supreme Court? Explain its impact on access to the court.
