28 U.S.C. § 1254(1)

28 U.S.C. § 1254(1) is the primary jurisdictional basis for obtaining certiorari by the U.S. Supreme Court. The statute mandates that:

Cases in the courts of appeals may be reviewed by the Supreme Court by the following methods:

(1) By writ of certiorari granted upon the petition of any party to any civil or criminal case, before or after rendition of judgment or decree;