The Georgia Supreme Court may choose to hear appeals from lower courts through what process?

• A. The Supreme Court may choose to hear appeals from lower courts through certiorari
• B. Appeals are automatically heard by the Supreme Court without any review
• C. Certiorari is used to grant warrants
• D. The Court of Appeals is forbidden to use certiorari

Answer: (A)

Discretionary review through certiorari is how the Georgia Supreme Court handles appeals from lower courts. A petition for certiorari asks the Supreme Court to review the record of a lower court decision, usually after a ruling by the Court of Appeals. The Court then decides whether to grant certiorari; if granted, it will hear the case and issue a decision, potentially reversing or modifying the lower court’s ruling. If certiorari is denied, the lower court’s decision stands as final. This mechanism keeps the Court’s workload manageable while allowing it to correct errors and resolve important questions of law. Certiorari is not about issuing warrants, and the appeals process is not automatic—it's a selective review.