Before a case reaches the Supreme Court, a few things need to happen.
Usually, the case begins in Federal District Court. After that court makes a decision, it makes its way to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeal for the region it originated in.
After that, the losing party would appeal to the Supreme Court. The Justices meet and decide which cases they want to hear, or grant a writ of certiorari to for that term.
Granting a writ of "cert" is a rare thing but it it is the final step before a case makes it to SCOTUS.
