Cases reach the US Supreme Court in one of two ways:



Under original jurisdiction

Original jurisdiction means the Supreme Court is the first to hear the case, acting as a trial court. The only cases currently heard under original jurisdiction involve disputes between the states, and account for only a tiny percent of the Court's work each year.

Under appellate jurisdiction

The Supreme Court hears appeals of cases that raise important "federal questions" involving the US Constitution, Federal laws and US Treaties. The Supreme Court may hear cases from both federal and state court systems under the following general classes:

• cases arising under the US Constitution
• cases arising under federal laws and treaties made by the United States
• cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers and consuls
• cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction
• cases where the United States is a party
• cases between a state and citizens of another state
• cases between citizens of different states (federal "diversity jurisdiction" for amounts in excess of $75,000 only; otherwise state court of the person filing the case)
• cases between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants made by different states
• cases between a state, or citizens thereof and foreign states citizens and subjects

The supreme courts asks the following questions when deciding to hear a case or not.

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If the decision is from one of the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, whether it is in conflict with the decisions of other Circuits;

whether the case is of national importance, or would have a significant impact on society; or

whether the lower court's decision is considered wrong in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's earlier opinions (precedents).