Final answer:
When the Supreme Court denies a writ of certiorari, the decision of the lower court stands as the final result. The Supreme Court is the nation's final court of appeal and sets precedents through its decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the Supreme Court decides not to hear a case by denying a writ of certiorari, the decision of the lower court remains the final result. These lower courts may be U.S. Courts of Appeals or state Supreme Courts. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal, meaning that its decisions to not take up a case effectively leave the lower court's ruling in place. In such instances, the decision made by the lower court stands because the justices might believe that the correct decision was already made, or that there is no substantial legal question needing further interpretation. Specifically, it takes the agreement of four of the nine justices to grant certiorari. If they choose not to do so, the lower court's decision is upheld without any alterations.
The Supreme Court serves as the 'court of last resort,' providing a final platform for hearing cases that involve constitutional questions or significant interpretations of law. It sets precedents with its opinions that guide future legal interpretations.
When the Supreme Court decides not to hear a case, it means that they are letting the decision of the lower court stand. This is because the Supreme Court is the final court of appeal and they only choose to hear cases that involve a constitutional question or have differing interpretations of a law. If there is no significant legal question to be addressed, the lower court's decision remains the final result.