Final answer:
Parties involved in a case, namely the petitioner and respondent, are eligible to request an appeal. Amicus curiae briefs can also be submitted by interested entities not directly involved in the case. The Supreme Court hears cases on appellate jurisdiction, typically for major constitutional issues or significant legal disagreements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Parties to an initial legal determination have the right to request an appeal. Specifically, the parties who can request an appeal are typically those directly involved in the case, including the petitioner and the respondent. The petitioner, often referred to in the case name and written in italics, is the party that lost at the lower court level and is appealing the decision. A classic example is in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education (1954), where Oliver Brown was one of the parents challenging racial segregation in schools as discriminatory.
Once a case reaches the appellate courts, briefs must be submitted to explain each party’s viewpoint. These include the initial briefs from both the petitioner and respondent, and may also include amicus curiae briefs from interested parties not directly involved in the case. In cases of significant public interest, entities such as interest groups and the solicitor general may submit amicus briefs to express opinions and attempt to influence the Court’s decision.
The Supreme Court predominantly hears cases on appellate jurisdiction, requiring a writ of certiorari for review. The Supreme Court opts to hear cases that present constitutional questions or when there is an inconsistency in law interpretation across lower courts. It is important to note that four of the nine justices must agree for certiorari to be granted. Without it, the lower court's decision remains in effect.