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Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in a court system, meaning its decisions are final and cannot be appealed to any other court.
What it actually is
In most legal systems, the Supreme Court is the court of last resort—in the federal system, the U.S. Supreme Court; in each state, its own supreme court (sometimes named differently, like the Court of Appeals). It typically hears cases only after they have been decided by lower courts, and it chooses which cases to accept, usually only when a significant legal question or conflict between lower court rulings is involved.
Why it matters in your case
If your case reaches a state or the federal supreme court, the decision there will be binding on all lower courts in that jurisdiction. For you, this means that once the supreme court rules, there is no further appeal available, and the result becomes final.
The common misunderstanding
Many people think the Supreme Court will hear any case they bring, but it actually accepts very few cases—usually only those involving major legal issues or disagreements among lower courts. Also, a state’s supreme court is separate from the U.S. Supreme Court, so a loss in one state supreme court does not automatically mean you can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Get the actual rule
Definitions are orientation; rules are authority
This page explains the concept. When it matters to your case, read the rule that governs it in your court — we hold Texas, federal and Washington court rules word for word, and every state's official resources are on the state pages. If someone cites a case at you, check that it exists first.
Related
Terms that travel with this one
General explanation, not legal advice, and not specific to any state — procedures and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and court. If you can get a lawyer or free legal aid, do: every real option.