To get to the Supreme Court cases usually follow a path through either a State or Federal network of courts. The State path includes Local Trial Courts and Appellate Courts. The State Trial courts handles criminal cases or disputes between people. The Appellate Courts handle cases where the losing party believes the decision was wrong or unfair.

The Federal path includes "Special Federal Courts", the US District Courts and the US Courts of Appeal. Special Federal Courts are made up of Customer Courts, Tax Courts and the Court of Claims.