The Supreme Court considers cases through a multi-step process where they first decide whether to accept a case, lawyers then submit written briefs and have oral arguments before the Justices, who privately discuss the cases on Wednesdays and Fridays before issuing at least one written opinion per major case decided.

1. DocketFour justices must agree to hear a case before it is added to the docket.BriefsOnce a case is accepted, lawyers for both sides submit written arguments.Oral ArgumentsNext, each side gets 30 minutes to summarize their key points for the Justices.ConferenceOn Wednesdays & Fridays, the Justices meet for private discussions.OpinionsThe Court issues at least one written opinion for all of its major cases.Decision MakingAmicus CuriaeJudicial ActivismJudicial RestraintJudicial ReviewJurisdictionPrecedentStare DecisisWrit of CertiorariNotable JusticesJayMarshallTaneyChaseHarlanHolmesHughesBrandeisTaftWarrenMarshallBurgerO’Connor