📅 2026 Update: Recent Changes in the Supreme Court

Since the article about Antonin Scalia was written, there have been noteworthy changes in the U.S. Supreme Court. These changes include new appointments, retirements, and updates on court procedures.

The original article continues further down the page and provides a foundational understanding of the court’s workings.

🏛️ Justice Appointments

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson joined the Supreme Court on June 30, 2022. Her formal investiture ceremony took place on September 30, 2022. She is the first Asian American and the first openly non-binary person to serve on the court.

⏳ Recent Retirements

Justice David H. Souter, who retired from the Supreme Court on June 29, 2009, passed away on May 8, 2025. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the court, retired on January 31, 2006, and she passed away on December 1, 2023.

These retirements mark significant moments in the court's history.

💰 Filing Fees

As of October 2026, the filing fee for a petition for a writ of certiorari has increased to $300. This fee is necessary for anyone wishing to ask the Supreme Court to review a case.

📅 Key Deadlines

Petitions for a writ of certiorari must be filed within 90 days after a judgment or order is entered. This deadline is critical for those seeking the court's review of lower court decisions.

📜 Public Access to Information

The Supreme Court's official website offers free access to its opinions, orders, and other documents. This resource is beneficial for anyone wanting to stay informed about the court's activities and decisions.

📌 Key Points

  • 🏛️ Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Asian American and openly non-binary justice.
  • ⏳ David H. Souter and Sandra Day O'Connor have both passed away.
  • 💰 Filing fees for petitions are now $300.
  • 📅 Petitions must be filed within 90 days of a judgment.
  • 📜 The Supreme Court provides free public access to its documents.

💡 Tips for Navigating the Supreme Court Process

Consider discussing your specific situation with your attorney to understand the best course of action based on your needs.

📄 Understand the Petition Process

To have the Supreme Court review a case, you must file a petition for a writ of certiorari. Familiarize yourself with the proper steps and required forms to ensure your petition is correctly filed.

⏰ Keep Track of Deadlines

Remember that you have 90 days after a judgment to file a petition. Missing this deadline can prevent the Supreme Court from reviewing your case.

💵 Budget for Filing Fees

The current filing fee for a petition is $300. Make sure to budget for this cost when preparing your petition.

🔍 Research Past Cases

Look into previous rulings by the Supreme Court that relate to your case. Understanding how the court has ruled in similar situations can provide valuable insights.

📚 Use Available Resources

Take advantage of the Supreme Court's official website for free access to opinions and orders. This can help you stay informed about ongoing cases and the court's decisions.

🏆 Free Options Ranked by User Reviews (2026)

No national paid services in this area met the review threshold, so this section lists free government and nonprofit resources available.

🥇 1. Supreme Court Official Website

The Supreme Court's official website offers free access to opinions, orders, and other relevant documents. This resource is essential for anyone looking to understand court rulings and procedures. It provides a comprehensive view of the court's activities and decisions.

🥈 2. Public Access to Court Records

Public access to court records allows individuals to view case filings and decisions. This resource is beneficial for those wishing to research previous rulings or understand the legal landscape surrounding specific issues.

🥉 3. Legal Aid Organizations

Various nonprofit legal aid organizations provide assistance to individuals seeking help with legal matters. While these organizations may not directly assist with Supreme Court cases, they can offer guidance and resources for navigating the legal system.

4️⃣ Law Libraries

Many law libraries provide free access to legal resources, including databases of court opinions. These libraries can be valuable for individuals seeking more information about the Supreme Court and its decisions.

5️⃣ Community Legal Clinics

Community legal clinics often offer free legal consultations and may provide assistance with filing petitions. These clinics are typically staffed by legal professionals who can guide individuals through the process.

🔎 What to Check Before Paying for Help

  • 🏛️ Verify if the service offers free resources.
  • 📅 Check if deadlines are being met.
  • 💵 Understand all fees involved.
  • 📄 Read user reviews for reliability.
  • 🔍 Confirm the service's expertise in Supreme Court matters.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What does it mean to file a petition for a writ of certiorari?

A petition for a writ of certiorari is a request to the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision. It is the first step for those seeking the court's review of a case.

🔍 How long does the Supreme Court take to decide on petitions?

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 can vary depending on the case's complexity.

📅 What happens if I miss the 90-day deadline?

If you miss the 90-day deadline to file a petition for a writ of certiorari, you will lose the opportunity for the Supreme Court to review your case. Timely submission is crucial.

🌐 Can I access Supreme Court opinions for free?

Yes, the Supreme Court's official website provides free access to its opinions, orders, and other documents. This resource is available to the public.

💼 Are there any qualifications required to be a Supreme Court Justice?

The U.S. Constitution does not specify qualifications for Supreme Court Justices. There are no requirements regarding age, education, or profession.

📜 How many Justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

There are currently nine Justices on the Supreme Court, which includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

⚖️ Recent Cases and Their Impact

Recent court rulings can have a significant effect on the legal landscape and everyday life. They often shape how laws are interpreted and applied.

For further details, you can browse more rulings on the news page.

End of October 2026 Update






Supreme Court Justice: Antonin Scalia 

Antonin Scalia is an American jurist and a current Justice of the United States Supreme. As the current longest-serving justice on the Supreme Court, Justice Scalia is the Senior Associate Justice. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. 

Antonin Scalia was born in Trenton, New Jersey but went to school in New York. He received his undergraduate degree at Georgetown University and later received his Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School. After working six years in a Cleveland law firm, Scalia became a law school professor. He served in the both the Nixon and Ford administrations, ultimately as the assistant attorney general. In 1986, Antonin Scalia was appointed to the Supreme Court by Regan. Antonin Scalia was confirmed unanimously by the Senate, and took his place in the Supreme Court on September 26, 1986.

Antonin Scalia

As a Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia has shown a very conservative ideology in many of opinions, emphasizing originalism in interpreting the Constitution and textualism in statutory interpretation. Scalia strongly defends the powers of the executive branch, and holds that presidential power should be powerful in many aspects. Scalia also opposes affirmative action and policies that look at minorities as groups. 

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 Antonin Scalia as well as Justice Rehnquist joined the plurality and upheld the parental consent, waiting period, and informed consent laws. However, both of them joined a concurring dissent and felt that Roe v. Wade was incorrectly decided, and that the spousal notification law should have been struck down. 

Bush v. Gore (2000): A landmark Supreme Court decision on December 12, 2000, that resolved the controversy of the 2000 presidential election in favor of George W. Bush. Eight days before, the U.S Supreme Court had decided unanimously the related case of Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board (2000) and three days before that, had preliminarily stopped the recount that was happening in Florida. The Court ruled in a per curiam decision that the Florida Supreme Court's technique for the ballot recount violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The Supreme Court also ruled that no other method could be made within the time limits that were created by Florida State. The concurring opinion made by Chief Justice Rehnquist was joined by Justices Scalia. It started by emphasizing that this particular case was unusual since the Constitution required federal courts to decide if a state Supreme Court has correctly interpreted the state legislature’s will. After discussing this aspect of the case, the dissent examined and supported the arguments made by the judges who dissented in the Florida Supreme Court.

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. Justice Antonin Scalia dissented, and was joined by Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Justice Scalia objected to the decision to revisit the Bowers v. Hardwick case, stating that there were many decisions afterwards from lower courts that could be affected, including Williams v. Pryor, Holmes v. California Army National Guard, and Owens v. State. Justice Scalia also pointed out that the justification behind overturning the first case could have been easily used to overturn Roe v. Wade. Furthermore, Justice Antonin Scalia also suggested that other state laws against same-sex marriage, bigamy, adult incest, masturbation, prostitution, adultery, bestiality, fornication, and obscenity are only sustainable with Bowers v. Hardwick’s validation.

Grutter v. Bollinger (2003): A Supreme Court case where the court upheld the affirmative action admissions policy set by the University of Michigan Law School in a 5-4 decision. The Supreme Court's majority rule held that the U.S. Constitution did not specific prohibit narrowly tailored use of race by the school in admissions to promote a compelling interest in obtaining educational benefits that result from a diverse student body. Justice Antonin Scalia joined Chief Justice Rehnquist’s dissent which argued school’s admissions policy, saying it tried to achieve an unconstitutional racial balancing. Justice Scalia also joined Justice Thomas in an opinion, partially concurring and dissenting which argued that if the school could not remain a prestigious institution while admitting students though a race-neutral system, the school should be forced to decide between a classroom aesthetic and exclusionary admissions.

Rasul v. Bush (2004): A landmark Supreme Court decision that established that the United States court system has the explicit authority to make decisions about whether foreign nationals held in Guantanamo Bay were considered wrongfully imprisoned. The 6-3 Supreme Court ruling reversed a previous District Court that held that the Judiciary did not have any jurisdiction in deciding wrongful imprisonment cases which involved foreign nationals held in Guantanamo Bay.  Justice Antonin Scalia wrote a dissent, which was joined by Clarence Thomas and William Rehnquist. Justice Antonin Scalia also discussed the intention of jurisdiction by saying that the Constitution needed jurisdiction so that an American citizen who had the protection of the Constitution could have some way of vindicating these rights.

Gonzales v. Raich (2005): A decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled that the United States Congress could criminalize the use and production of home-grown cannabis even in states which had laws that approved its use for medicinal purposes. Congress could do this with the power given to them from the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.  Justice Antonin Scalia wrote a separate concurring opinion that tried to differentiate the Court’s decision from the recent results of the cases United States v. Morrison and United States v. Lopez. Although Antonin Scalia voted in favor of limiting the Commerce Clause in these previous decisions, Scalia felt that his interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause in the Constitution resulted in him voting in favor of Raich. This was because Scalia felt that Congress could only regulate non-economic intrastate activities when not doing so could potentially undercut the interstate regulation of the activity.