Changes

== Statistics and Filing Information ==

== Statistics and Filing Information ==

Only about 1% of petitions for cert are granted.  The U.S. Supreme Court declines review in about 99% of the cases presented to it.  Moreover, of the less than 100 petitions granted each year, many of them are on obscure legal issues having little importance.  The Supreme Court prefers to take cases to resolve a conflict between the Circuit Courts, otherwise known as "circuit split" or "split in the circuits."  This preference can result in taking a higher percentage of insignificant issues than one would expect, such as a variety of claims by prisoners or unusual assertions of a right to free speech.

Only about 1% of petitions for cert are granted.<ref>Thompson, D. & Wachtell, M.: ''An Analysis of Supreme Court Petition Procedures'', George Mason Law Review (2009) http://www.supremecourtus.gov/ctrules/2007rulesofthecourt.pdf</ref> The U.S. Supreme Court declines review in about 99% of the cases presented to it.  Moreover, of the less than 100 petitions granted each year, many of them are on obscure legal issues having little importance.  The Supreme Court prefers to take cases to resolve a conflict between the Circuit Courts, otherwise known as "circuit split" or "split in the circuits."  This preference can result in taking a higher percentage of insignificant issues than one would expect, such as a variety of claims by prisoners or unusual assertions of a right to free speech.

Statistically, the presence of ''amicus curiae'' briefs in support of petitions is correlated to an increase percentage of success, although that may simply be because stronger petitions attract more amicus briefs.

Statistically, the presence of ''amicus curiae'' briefs in support of petitions is correlated to an increase percentage of success, although that may simply be because stronger petitions attract more amicus briefs.