How does the Supreme Court decide which cases to take?

You will find the answer explained at
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-the-supreme-court-decide-which-cases-to-hear.htm

It takes a minimum of four judges to decide if the "petitions" or "writs certiorari" to hear the case are granted. They convene to make this decision, after their clerks have advised them. Not all judges review all of the petitions, but in conference, they all decide on whether to hear it.

To decide which cases to take, the Supreme Court follows a specific process. First, individuals or parties seeking to have their case heard by the Supreme Court must file a petition, called a "writ of certiorari," requesting the Court to review their case.

The first step in the process involves the Court's clerks reviewing the thousands of petitions that are filed each year. Each petition is summarized and assigned to a particular justice for review.

Next, the justices review the assigned petitions individually. They may read the briefs and related documents, conduct legal research, and seek the advice of their law clerks.

After this individual review, the Supreme Court justices meet in private conference to discuss the petitions. All justices, including those who did not specifically review a particular petition, participate in the conference. During this conference, the justices share their thoughts and opinions on each case.

To grant a petition and hear a case, a minimum of four justices must agree that the case merits the Court's attention. If fewer than four justices vote to grant a petition, it is denied. The Court typically grants around 100-150 cases for oral arguments each term, out of thousands of petitions received.

It is important to note that the Supreme Court's decision to grant or deny a petition is entirely subjective and depends on a variety of factors. These factors include the legal significance of the issue at hand, potential conflicts between lower court decisions, and the Court's capacity to handle the case within its limited docket.

If you want more details and a comprehensive understanding of how the Supreme Court decides which cases to hear, you can refer to the link provided: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-the-supreme-court-decide-which-cases-to-hear.htm