The courts
certiorari
The Supreme Court's discretionary review. Losing parties petition for a 'writ of cert'; four justices must agree to hear the case.
In full
Nearly every case reaches the Supreme Court by petition for a writ of certiorari, which the Court is free to deny without explanation, and does, in about 99 of every 100 petitions. Granting review takes four of the nine justices, the 'rule of four.' A denial sets no precedent; it simply leaves the lower court's ruling standing.
Also written as: writ of certiorari, cert petition, cert
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.