Writs

Question 1

Writ

Answer 1

Generic term for court order.
The term of an order that informs of a letter commanding that something be done(generic).

Question 2

Writ of Certiorari (cert)

Answer 2

An order from a superior to an inferior court to send the entire record of the cast to the Supreme Court for review.

Question 3

Writ of mandamus

Answer 3

A prohibition, ordering a lower court or public official to do or stop doing something

Question 4

Writ of certification

Answer 4

• Congress also provides that the appellate court may submit a writ of certification to the USSC requesting the Justices clarify a certain a point to the lower court

Question 5

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Answer 5

A writ directing a person held in custody be brought before the court to determine if he or she is being held unlawfully

Question 6

What does Habeas Corpus mean?

Answer 6

produce the body

Question 7

Writ of error

Answer 7

• a method of appeal by which an appellate court orders a lower court to send a case to the higher court for review of alleged mistakes made by the lower courts.
• not all facts reviewed.
• U.S. Supreme court no longer employs this appeal method

Question 8

Who petitions a writ of cert? Who makes the decision to accept it and with how many?

Answer 8

Litigants must petition the court for a writ of cert
decision on the petition is made by rule of 4.

Question 9

What is the rule of 4

Answer 9

4 out of 9 justices must decide to grant the petition, and then the Supreme Court will write the writ of cert to the lower court.