How do most cases come to the Supreme Court?

Most cases come to the Supreme Court on appeal from lower courts, which is a fundamental aspect of the U.S. judicial system. The Supreme Court serves as the highest appellate court, meaning it has the authority to review decisions made by lower federal and state courts. The cases that the Supreme Court hears typically involve significant legal questions or issues of constitutional interpretation that have arisen in previous court rulings.

The appeals process allows the Supreme Court to ensure uniformity in the interpretation of federal law and the Constitution across the entire country, correcting potential errors made by lower courts. The Court receives thousands of petitions each term, but it selectively chooses which cases to review, often based on their potential impact or importance.

The other options do not reflect the correct process through which cases reach the Supreme Court. For instance, cases do not come directly from private citizens without going through the lower courts first, and cases are not presented to the Supreme Court before being heard in any other courts. Additionally, while Congress holds significant power in the legislative process, it does not recommend specific cases for the Supreme Court to hear; the Court operates independently in its case selection.