State Supreme Courts

If a litigant loses at the appellate court level, she may appeal to the state's highest, or supreme, court. This is the last opportunity she has to change the outcome of the trial. State supreme courts are the final court of appeal in that state.

There are many names used for state supreme courts, including Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Supreme Judicial Court.

SIDEBAR: In cases where a constitutional issue is involved, an appeal to the federal court of appeals may be permitted.