How can the Supreme Court overturn a lower court's decision on a case?
A. by accepting a writ of certiorari and making a decision based on the guidelines presented in Rule 10.
B. by accepting a writ of certiorari and deciding the case based on suggestions from law clerks.
C. by accepting a writ of certiorari and ruling on the side of the majority opinion of citizens.
D. by accepting a writ of certiorari, reviewing the case, and deciding a different outcome than the lower court.
D. by accepting a writ of certiorari, reviewing the case, and deciding a different outcome than the lower court.
The Supreme Court can overturn a lower court's decision on a case by accepting a writ of certiorari, reviewing the case, and deciding a different outcome than the lower court. This is represented by option D. In the process of accepting a writ of certiorari, the Supreme Court examines the legal issues in the case and decides whether to hear the case or leave the lower court's decision intact. If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case and finds that the lower court made an error in its decision, it can reverse or overturn the lower court's ruling.
The correct answer is D. The Supreme Court can overturn a lower court's decision on a case by accepting a writ of certiorari, reviewing the case, and deciding on a different outcome than the lower court. Here's how the process works:
1. Writ of Certiorari: The party that is dissatisfied with the lower court's decision can request the Supreme Court to review the case by submitting a writ of certiorari. The Court has discretion over which cases it chooses to hear. If the Court grants the writ, it agrees to review the case.
2. Review of the Case: Once the Supreme Court agrees to review the case, it examines the written arguments presented by each party, known as briefs. These briefs include legal arguments and precedents that support each side's position.
3. Oral Arguments: In addition to reviewing the briefs, the Supreme Court may also allow both sides to present oral arguments. During oral arguments, the attorneys for each side have the opportunity to present their case, answer the Justices' questions, and address any concerns raised by the Court.
4. Decision-Making Process: After the review and oral arguments, the Justices deliberate on the case. They discuss and debate the issues, exchange their views, and consider relevant legal principles and precedents. The Chief Justice presides over these discussions, but each Justice has an equal vote in the decision.
5. Majority Opinion: If the majority of the Justices agree on a decision, a majority opinion is written. The majority opinion explains the Court's reasoning and the legal principles on which the decision is based. The majority opinion becomes the binding decision of the Court.
6. Dissenting Opinions: Justices who disagree with the majority decision may write dissenting opinions. Dissenting opinions outline the Justices' differing views and arguments against the majority opinion. While dissenting opinions do not change the final outcome, they can provide alternative interpretations and perspectives.
7. Overturning Lower Court's Decision: If the Supreme Court disagrees with the lower court's decision, it can overturn it by issuing a ruling that establishes a different outcome or sets different legal precedents. This means that the lower court's decision is no longer valid, and the Supreme Court's decision becomes the final authority on the case.
So, the Supreme Court has the authority to overturn a lower court's decision by accepting a writ of certiorari, reviewing the case, and ultimately deciding on a different outcome.