Q: How much notice does the Court usually have that an execution is imminent and an application for a stay of execution may be filed?
A: The Clerk's Office distributes a list of scheduled executions on a weekly basis to the Justices' chambers. Many on the list have had cases at the Supreme Court before, and copies of those case filings are made available to chambers. Lower courts will notify the Supreme Court of their decisions and will transmit copies of their rulings as they are announced so that the Justices can be kept informed. Meanwhile, legal counsel will usually call the Clerk's Office in advance of the scheduled execution to "check in," to be advised of filing procedures, and to advise the Court whether he/she intends to appeal to the Court.
Q: Who are the best contacts for guidance on the facts of a particular case? Where can copies of papers filed with the Court be obtained?
A: The Public Information Office staff at the Court are the best contacts for information on what has been filed and when, as well as for updates on status. For more substantive guidance on the facts of a case, the best contacts are usually the lawyers handling the case.
Q: How is it determined which Justice will handle an application?
A: The country is divided into 13 federal judicial circuits and each Supreme Court Justice is assigned one or more of these circuits. The Justices decide among themselves who will be responsible for which circuits, and those assignments are announced in a
