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Court Information:
1 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20543
Telephone:202-479-3000
To make a successful appeal to the United States Supreme Court, there are several steps you should take:
1. Meet the requirements for filing an appeal. This includes having a final judgment from a lower court and being able to demonstrate that a federal question or issue of national importance is at stake.
2. File a petition for writ of certiorari, which is a formal request for the Supreme Court to hear your case. This petition should clearly explain why the Court should hear your case, and it should be written in a persuasive and well-researched manner.
3. Prepare for oral argument, if the Court agrees to hear your case. This includes researching the relevant case law and preparing to answer potential questions from the justices.
4. Make sure to address the Court’s concerns and to persuade them that your case is important, and your appeal has a good chance of success.
5. Be prepared for the Court’s decision, which may not be in your favor. It’s important to note that the Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions for writ of certiorari each year and only a small fraction are actually granted. Therefore, it’s important to have a solid case and to present it in a compelling manner to increase the chances of the Court agreeing to hear your case.
- Rules of the Supreme Court
- Summary of 2023 Rule Changes
- ELECTRONIC Merits Brief Submission Guidelines (Updated January 1, 2023)
- Guide to Filing Paid Cases (Updated January 2023)
- Guide to Filing In Forma Pauperis Cases (Updated January 2023)
- Guide to Filing Amicus Curiae Briefs (Updated January 2023)
- Guide for Counsel in Cases to be argued
- Guidance on Scheduling (Updated January 2023)
- Bar Admissions Instructions
- Brief Chart
- Argument Calendar
- Due Date Calculator
- SCOTUS BLOG
- Opinions of the Court
- Live Oral Argument
- Argument Transcripts
- 2023 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary
