Final answer:
The Supreme Court grants a writ of certiorari for reasons such as conflicts among lower courts on legal issues, significant national interest, or urgency, and sometimes based on input from entities like the solicitor general. Four justices must agree to hear a case, known as the Rule of Four.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons the Supreme Court Grants Writ of Certiorari
The Supreme Court is selective when granting a writ of certiorari, which translates to a review of a lower court's case. There are several common reasons why the Court would choose to exercise this power. First, the Court may grant cert when there is a conflict between lower courts on the same legal issue. This includes differing decisions among the federal courts of appeals or when state courts make a ruling that contradicts federal court precedent.
Second, the Supreme Court might grant cert if a case involves particularly significant or urgent issues that require timely resolution, such as in the instance of Bush v. Gore following the 2000 presidential election. Lastly, the Court may be influenced by the opinions of significant legal entities such as the solicitor general, who may communicate the government's position on the case.
For any case to be chosen for review, at least four of the nine justices must vote in favor of hearing the case, a guideline known as the Rule of Four. This ensures that a case has enough interest among the justices to warrant their attention and the use of the Court's resources.