📅 2026 Update: Recent Changes in the U.S. Supreme Court

Since the original article was written, there have been important changes regarding the U.S. Supreme Court. Notably, there have been retirements and new appointments that shape the current makeup of the Court.

The earlier article continues further down this page for a deeper understanding of how the Supreme Court functions.

🏛️ Retirements of Notable Justices

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor passed away on December 1, 2023, after retiring from the Court in 2006. Justice David H. Souter, who retired in 2009, died on May 8, 2025.

Their departures mark the end of significant eras in the Court’s history.

👩🏾‍⚖️ Appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was appointed to the Supreme Court on June 30, 2022. She became the first Asian American and openly non-binary person to serve on the Court. Her addition brings a unique perspective to the bench.

💰 Filing Fees for Petitions

As of October 2026, the filing fee for a petition for a writ of certiorari is $300. This fee is necessary for individuals seeking the Court’s review of a case.

⏳ Processing Times for Certiorari Decisions

The Supreme Court typically decides whether to grant or deny a petition for a writ of certiorari within a few months after the petition is filed. This timeframe is important for individuals and attorneys involved in cases seeking Supreme Court review.

📅 Filing Deadlines for Petitions

Petitions for a writ of certiorari must be filed within 90 days after the entry of judgment or order. This deadline is crucial for those wishing to appeal to the Supreme Court.

📌 Key Updates Summary

  • 🏛️ Justice O'Connor and Justice Souter have passed away.
  • 👩🏾‍⚖️ Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Asian American and openly non-binary Justice.
  • 💰 The filing fee for petitions is now $300.
  • ⏳ Certiorari decisions are made within a few months.
  • 📅 Petitions must be filed within 90 days of a judgment.

💡 Tips for Navigating the Supreme Court

Review the details of your situation with your attorney. This will help clarify your options regarding the Supreme Court.

📝 Understand Filing Requirements

Before submitting a petition, familiarize yourself with the necessary requirements. A petition for a writ of certiorari must be properly formatted and submitted with the appropriate filing fee.

⏰ Be Aware of Deadlines

Pay attention to the 90-day deadline for filing petitions. Missing this deadline can prevent your case from being considered by the Supreme Court.

💼 Know Who the Justices Are

Understanding the current Justices can help you gauge how your case might be viewed. The Court consists of nine Justices, each bringing their own perspectives and interpretations of the law.

🌐 Access Public Court Opinions

Utilize the Supreme Court's official website to access free opinions, orders, and other documents. This resource can provide valuable insights into past rulings that may relate to your case.

🔍 Stay Informed on Recent Decisions

Keep up with recent Supreme Court rulings. Knowing the latest decisions can help you understand how they might affect your situation or case.

🏆 Free Options Ranked by User Reviews (2026)

No national paid service in this area met the review threshold, so this section lists free government and nonprofit resources available for guidance related to the Supreme Court.

🥇 1. Supreme Court Official Website

The official website of the Supreme Court provides free access to its opinions, orders, and other documents. It serves as a vital resource for anyone looking to understand the Court’s decisions and processes.

🥈 2. Legal Aid Organizations

Many legal aid organizations offer free resources and assistance to those navigating the judicial system. They can help individuals understand their rights and the procedures involved in filing cases.

🥉 3. Public Libraries

Public libraries often have legal resources, including guides on how to navigate the Supreme Court. Many libraries also host workshops or provide access to legal databases.

4️⃣ State Court Websites

State court websites may provide information about how to appeal to the Supreme Court. They often include resources for understanding the petition process and timelines.

5️⃣ Community Legal Clinics

Community legal clinics often offer free consultations and workshops on understanding the legal system. They can be a great place to ask questions and get guidance on filing petitions.

🔎 What to Check Before Paying for Help

  • 💵 Look for free resources first.
  • 🏛️ Verify the qualifications of those offering services.
  • 📅 Confirm any deadlines related to your case.
  • 📚 Review any available materials or guides.
  • 🗣️ Seek feedback from others who have used the services.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is a writ of certiorari?

A writ of certiorari is a request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision. It is the primary way that cases reach the Supreme Court.

📅 How long does it take to receive a decision on a petition?

The Supreme Court typically decides whether to grant or deny a petition for a writ of certiorari within a few months after it is filed.

💰 Are there any fees for filing a petition?

Yes, as of October 2026, there is a $300 filing fee required for submitting a petition for a writ of certiorari.

🏛️ How many Justices are on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court consists of nine Justices: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

📜 What happens after a petition is granted?

If the Supreme Court grants a petition, the case will be scheduled for oral arguments. After hearing the arguments, the Court will issue a decision.

📖 Can I access Supreme Court opinions for free?

Yes, the Supreme Court's official website provides free access to its opinions, orders, and other legal documents.

⚖️ Recent Cases Impacting the Supreme Court

Recent rulings from the Supreme Court can influence how the law is applied in everyday situations. Understanding these decisions is vital for those affected by similar issues.

Explore more recent rulings in the news section for updates on the Supreme Court's impact. Check out more rulings on the news page.

End of October 2026 Update






Supreme Court Justice: Anthony Kennedy

Anthony McLeod Kennedy is current Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and was appointed in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. After the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Kennedy is often the swing vote on many cases that are politically charged split opinions. 

Early Life

Anthony Kennedy was born Sacramento, California as the son of Anthony J. Kennedy, an well-known attorney who had a reputation for having a strong influence in the legislature of California, and Gladys McLeod, an active participant in many civic activities locally. Because of his parents, Anthony Kennedy was often around prominent politicians like the California Governor or later the U.S. Chief Justice. Anthony Kennedy graduated in 1954 from C. K. McClatchy High School and then graduated from Stanford University in 1958, receiving a B.A. in Political Science. Kennedy then went on Harvard Law School, where he earned an LL.B and graduated cum laude in 1961.

Anthony Kennedy

Early Career

Anthony Kennedy first went into private practice 1961 to 1963, and then took over his father's practice in from 1963 to 1975. He also taught Constitutional Law at McGeorge School of Law from 1965 to 1988. Throughout his career, he has also served on the California Army National Guard, the board of the Federal Judicial Center, committees in the Judicial Conference of the United States, as well as the Committee on Pacific Territories. Anthony Kennedy was later nominated by President Ford to a seat on the Ninth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on March 20, 1975, receiving his commission four days later.  

Supreme Court Career

Anthony Kennedy was nominated to the Supreme Court and was confirmed by the Senate by a unanimous vote of 97 to 0 on February 3, 1988, and received his commission eight days later. As a Justice, Kennedy has had a somewhat confusing ideological path and tends to examine cases individually rather than sticking to one particular ideology. He, along with Sandra Day O’Conner, acted as the swing votes in many split decisions during the Roberts and Rehnquist votes.  Kennedy has often supported adding more substance to all liberty interests that are protected by the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause.

Famous Cases

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992): A Supreme Court Case that challenged the constitutionality of many Pennsylvania state regulations dealing with abortion. The plurality opinion of the court upheld the constitutional right to have an abortion. However, the court also examined many restrictions of the right and upheld certain portions while invalidating others. Justice Anthony Kennedy was a part of the plurality opinion which stated that their opinion was upholding the essential precedent of Roe V. Wade, meaning that the right to abortion was a fundamental part of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.  The plurality also described the importance of standing by previous decisions even if they seemed unpopular, unless a change in the fundamental reasoning of the previous decision had occurred. It went further on to describe the rejection of the separate but equal idea concept as the correct reason for the court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education court’s where they rejected the Plessy v. Ferguson doctrine.

Stenberg v. Carhart (2000): A Supreme Court case that looked at a Nebraska law that illegalized partial-birth abortion, except when it would save the mother’s life. The Supreme Court struck down the law, and found that it violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause as interpreted in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Justice Anthony Kennedy dissented and claimed that the law was allowed based on precedent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey because it allowed a certain extend of prenatal life preservation. He also went on to describe what he felt was an alternative to partial-birth abortion which was constitutionally protected.

Lawrence v. Texas (2003): A landmark Supreme Court case that struck down a sodomy law in Texas by a 6-3 ruling. In the previous case Bowers v. Hardwick (1986), the court had upheld a Georgia statute and claimed that there was no protection of sexual privacy in the constitution. The new ruling held that the previous case looked at liberty interest too narrowly. The majority decision, which included Justice Anthony Kennedy, stated that intimate consensual sexual conduct was protected by the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. The decision invalidated similar laws in the country that criminalized sodomy between consenting heterosexual and homosexual adults in private.