Checklist of Procedural Steps to Filing a Petition for Certiorari
Sample Certiorari Petitions
1. This sample “Me Too” petition (following Cunningham) asks the Court to grant cert on an issue that it is already considering.
“Me Too” petition (WordPerfect doc)
2. This sample petition asks the Court to grant cert on an issue that is not already before the Court.
Sample new issue petition (WordPerfect doc)
Sample Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
Sample IFP Motion (WordPerfect doc)
Sample Petitioner’s Affidavit in Support of Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
Sample Petitioner’s Affidavit (WordPerfect doc)
Sample Certificate of Service
Sample Certificate of Service (WordPerfect doc)
Attn Appointed Counsel: Compensation/Expansion Policy for Certiorari Petitions
For Supreme Court cases, appellate counsel does not need to move to expand the appointment to file a certiorari petition. The petition is covered by the Supreme Court appointment.
However, in cases where review was not granted by the Supreme Court, and the appointment order is from the Court of Appeal, counsel must move to expand their appointment to prepare a certiorari petition in order to be compensated for the work. For more information, see CCAP’s articles on Expanding Your Appointment (the discussion regarding certiorari petitions is at the bottom of the page) and Preauthorization Steps and Procedures.
Sample request to expand appointment to file a cert. petition
Request to Expand Appointment (WordPerfect doc)
U.S. Supreme Court Rules of Court
U.S. Supreme Court Rules of Court(external link)
Application for Admission to Practice before the U.S. Supreme Court
U.S.S.C. Admission Application (external link)
Instructions for Admission to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar
U.S.S.C. Admission Instructions (external link)
U.S. Supreme Court Clerk’s Guide to Prospective Indigent Petitioners (2023 version)
U.S.S.C. Clerk’s Guide (external link)
U.S. Supreme Court Docket (external link)
