Final answer:
The refusal of a court of last resort, like the Supreme Court, to hear an appeal is the same as affirming the lower court's ruling. By denying a writ of certiorari, the Supreme Court lets the lower appellate court's decision stand without its intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The refusal of a court of last resort to hear an appeal over a lower appellate court's ruling is the same as affirming the decision. When the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter in the federal judicial system and has both original and appellate jurisdiction, chooses not to grant a writ of certiorari, the decision of the lower court remains in effect. This typically occurs because the justices may believe the lower court's ruling was correct or that the case does not present a significant legal question warranting their review. Appellate courts, including circuit courts and ultimately the Supreme Court, have the authority to decide the remedy and resolution of a case, but when certiorari is denied, the resolution already determined by the lower courts stands.