What is the Rule of Four?

• A. At least four justices must agree to grant certiorari for a case to be heard.
• B. It requires a majority vote of the full court.
• C. The Chief Justice makes the decision alone.
• D. Certiorari is granted automatically for all cases.

Answer: (A)

Four votes are needed to grant certiorari, meaning at least four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case. This Rule of Four ensures that the Court only takes up cases with enough interest or importance to a minority of the justices, rather than being driven by a simple majority. It keeps the docket manageable and prevents a single majority from forcing the Court to review every petition.

It's not a majority vote of the entire Court, and the Chief Justice doesn't decide alone. Nor is certiorari granted automatically for all petitions—the Court reviews petitions and each is either granted or denied, with four justices needed to take a case.