Here's what the Supreme Court is doing behind closed doors
The nine justices hear arguments and issue signed rulings in about 70 cases each annual term. But that constitutes only part of their work. In an oak-paneled conference room just off the chambers of Chief Justice John Roberts, they cull through an estimated 7,000 petitions annually from people who have lost cases in lower courts. They also rule on motions to intervene in lower court proceedings, most consequentially related to scheduled executions.
Supreme Court debates allowing citizenship question 02:03Roberts sets the agenda and begins the discussion. The other justices then speak in order of seniority. For most cases, the justices' first impression is set by a memo produced by a pool of law clerks. Seven justices have their clerks join forces to screen the"petitions for certiorari," as appeals are formally called, to determine which ones should be accepted for oral argument and full review.
Rare question from Justice Thomas in jury selection case 01:57The more recent string of contentious capital disputes began with a February 7 case from Alabama. A five-justice majority led by Roberts rejected a Muslim prisoner's request to have an imam with him in the death chamber. The justices in the majority issued a simple two-sentence order letting the execution of Domineque Ray go forward without an imam at his side.
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