What is a writ of certiorari?

• A. A discretionary order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision.
• B. A final ruling on the merits of a case.
• C. A procedure to appoint judges.
• D. A lower court's order to reverse a higher court.

Answer: (A)

A writ of certiorari is the Supreme Court’s discretionary tool for deciding which lower-court decisions it will review. It isn’t a ruling on a case’s merits by itself; it’s an invitation to hear the case. The Court grants cert only when it agrees that the question presented is worthy of review, typically requiring the votes of four justices (the rule of four). If cert is granted, the case proceeds to briefing, oral argument, and a merits decision; if cert is denied, the lower court’s ruling stands as the final decision. This distinguishes certiorari from the other options, which describe actual merits decisions, judge-appointment processes, or orders reversing higher courts.