Final answer:
The false statement about Supreme Court procedures is that the conference where justices decide a case is open to outsiders before it is closed for voting; these conferences are in fact entirely private. Other correct details include the Chief Justice speaking first and voting last, the use of dissenting opinions, strict time limits for attorneys, and the Court's discretion in case selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'the conference at which justices meet to decide a case is open to outsiders until debate on the case is over, and is then closed to allow the justices to vote' is inaccurate regarding Supreme Court procedures. In truth, when the Court is in session, the justices hold private conferences twice a week and once a week when it is not in session, to discuss and decide cases. These conferences are entirely private, with no outsiders permitted, and it is during these meetings that the initial votes are taken before they announce their decisions publicly.
Furthermore, the Chief Justice does indeed have the prerogative to speak first and vote last. When a case has been heard, each justice may express their opinions in order of seniority. Should a justice disagree with the majority, they may write a dissenting opinion. Attorneys presenting cases before the Supreme Court are subject to strict time constraints, typically having thirty minutes to make their arguments. Lastly, the Court exercises broad discretion in selecting the cases it will hear, but it cannot initiate cases on its own.