Petitioning for Review in the Supreme Court

Q: How does the Supreme Court decide whether to grant a petition for review?

A: The Supreme Court’s function is to preside over the orderly and consistent development of California case law. Therefore, the primary ground for granting a petition in a particular case is if review is necessary to secure uniformity of decision among the appellate courts or to settle an important question of law, as stated in California Rules of Court, rule 8.500(b). (In death penalty cases, review is automatic, and slightly different procedures apply, as set forth in California Rules of Court, rules 8.600 and 8.630.)

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