2. Supreme Court Jurisdiction

Question 1

What issues does Supreme Court have original jurisdiction over?

Answer 1

State v State disputes

Public Minister/Ambassador related cases

Question 2

What is required for Supreme Court to have appellate jurisdiction (writ of certiorari) over?

Answer 2

1) At least 4 justices’ vote

2) Appeals from; (NOT mandatory)
- State Court (Highest Court) (Federal law v State law OR Federal/State law related cases)
- Federal Court (Lowest Court) (Federal Constitution/statutory law related cases)

Question 3

When may Supreme Court be denied right to review state court decisions?

Answer 3

Independent + Adequate state law grounds

1) Indepedent (Based on identical federal provision)
2) Adequate (fully dispositive of case)
3) State law grounds
- ‘Clearly’ based on state law grounds
- Based on federal + state law grounds (state law ground alone would be sufficient to produce same outcome)

=> Supreme Court cannot review neither federal/state law portion of decision (both laws now moot)

Question 4

Can Congress modify Supreme Court’s jurisdiction?

Answer 4

Delineate appellate j => Fed Court

Delineate original j => Fed Court
- NOT state v state disputes

Question 5

What is required for Supreme Court to have appellate jurisdiction (mandatory appeal) over?

Answer 5

1) 3-judge district court panel’s vote

2) Appeals from; (Mandatory)
- Grant/Denial of injunctive relief/Immunity (Federal Court => Federal Court of Appeals => Supreme Court)
- NOT grant/denial of injunctive relief in State Court (State Court => State Appellate Court)