The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It decides all of the great constitutional and legal issues that affect the lives of everyone. Many of these issues arise from criminal cases.
The Supreme Court interprets the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. These constitutional amendments encompass the rights of free speech, religion, lawful assembly, privilege against self-incrimination, right to bear arms, search and seizure, due process, right to speedy trial, right to effective assistance of counsel, right to trial by jury, protections against double jeopardy, and right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. Statutes imposing criminal penalties must be strictly interpreted so as not to ensnare the innocent. The Supreme Court provides guidance to lawyers and judges around the United States.
The Supreme Court typically receives cases from the United States Courts of Appeals. They in turn review cases from the Federal District Courts within their jurisdiction. For instance, cases from the Federal District Court in Miami are reviewed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. From the Eleventh Circuit, the case can be taken to the Supreme Court.
There are several ways that a case can be heard by the Supreme Court. There are some very rare types of cases that the Supreme Court must decide. A decision by a lower Federal Court that invalidates a Federal Statute would be an example of such a case.
After a Federal Court of Appeals has decided a case, the losing party can seek review from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decides which cases they will accept. In order to ask the Supreme Court to take a case, the person must file a Petition for Writ of Certiorari. There has to be a reason presented cogently, persuasively, and authoritatively describing why this case is important enough to warrant review by the Supreme Court.
Charles G. White has prepared a Petition for Certiorari that was granted. After the Supreme Court accepted the case, Mr. White filed a legal brief that presented the merits of his case. After the Court considered the legal briefs filed by the parties, it decided to hold Oral Argument. Oral Argument is conducted in the Supreme Court Courtroom in Washington, D.C. Mr. White was privileged to go to Washington, D.C., and argue his case before the Supreme Court.
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