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Simple English definitions for legal terms

rule of four

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A quick definition of rule of four:

The rule of four is a convention in the U.S. Supreme Court that requires at least four justices to vote in favor of granting certiorari, which is an extraordinary writ that directs a lower court to deliver the record of a case for review. Certiorari is a special proceeding that allows a superior court to review the acts of an inferior tribunal, board, or judicial officer for excess of jurisdiction. The U.S. Supreme Court uses certiorari to review most of the cases that it decides to hear. The rule of four helps to define the Court's institutional role and control access to its jurisdiction.

A more thorough explanation:

The Rule of Four is a convention that requires at least four justices of the U.S. Supreme Court to vote in favor of granting certiorari for a case to be heard by the Court.

Certiorari is an extraordinary writ issued by an appellate court, at its discretion, directing a lower court to deliver the record in the case for review. It is a way for a higher court to review the decision of a lower court.

For example, if a person is convicted of a crime and appeals the decision to a higher court, the higher court may issue a writ of certiorari to review the lower court's decision.

The U.S. Supreme Court uses certiorari to review most of the cases that it decides to hear. The Court has the power to define its own institutional role through its control over the cases that come before it.

One example of the Rule of Four in action is when a case called Obergefell v. Hodges was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015. This case dealt with the issue of same-sex marriage and whether it was constitutional. Four justices voted in favor of granting certiorari, and the case was heard by the Court.

Another example is when a case called Texas v. Pennsylvania was brought before the Court in 2020. This case dealt with the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election and whether certain states had violated the Constitution in their handling of the election. Four justices voted against granting certiorari, and the case was not heard by the Court.

These examples illustrate how the Rule of Four determines whether a case will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. If at least four justices vote in favor of granting certiorari, the case will be heard. If not, the case will not be heard.

rule of decision | rule of inconvenience

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RoaldDahl
16:05
dodged the mich r wave what does this mean
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:06
it means you will not be rejected today and may be accepted or WL in the future
Just got my Michigan rejection
BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
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