ONCE THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES TO HEAR A CASE, WHAT HAPPENS?
If a majority of the justices agree to grant writs, that is, agrees to review a case, the case is set on the Supreme Court’s docket for full briefing and argument before the Court. The full record of the case is moved from the lower court and lodged with the clerk of court for the Louisiana Supreme Court. It is important to note that the Supreme Court’s review is limited to the testimony and exhibits contained in the lower court record. No new evidence can be introduced in the Louisiana Supreme Court. There is no jury. Before the case is heard by the Supreme Court, one justice is assigned the duty of writing the opinion of the Court. The opinion is not written, however, until after the case has been argued before the Court.
