Final answer:
The Supreme Court generally does not hear cases initiated by a Supreme Court justice; it mainly reviews decisions from lower courts. Its original jurisdiction is limited, with broader authority being appellate. The Court hears cases involving federal law, Constitutional questions, and specific types of disputes as mandated by its jurisdiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
A case that is usually not heard by the Supreme Court is initiated by a Supreme Court justice. This is because the Supreme Court's primary role is to serve as the highest appellate court in the land, reviewing decisions made by other courts. The Court has original jurisdiction in only a limited set of cases, specifically in controversies between states, and those involving ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls. Otherwise, its jurisdiction is mostly appellate, meaning it reviews cases that have been previously decided by lower courts.
The Supreme Court is designated to hear cases that cover issues such as constitutional questions, federal laws, and treaties, along with those in which the federal government is a party to the litigation. It also has the authority to decide upon cases involving diverse citizenship and certain disputes involving high-value amounts that cross state lines. Cases that tend to be addressed directly by the Supreme Court are those that involve a federal question or arise from activities associated with interstate commerce. These can include criminal and civil violations of federal law, such as bank robbery or employment discrimination, respectively.
While the majority of court cases, including the vast array of criminal and civil matters, are heard in state courts, the federal courts are tasked with a more specialized set of case types. Important to note is that the number of cases heard by the Supreme Court is exceedingly small compared to those heard by lower federal courts and state courts. This illustrates the apex court's role as a final arbiter of legal disputes that have significant implications for the interpretation of federal law and the U.S. Constitution.