What does a writ of certiorari request?

A writ of certiorari is a specific type of court order that is typically issued by a higher court to review the decisions or records of a lower court. This legal mechanism is particularly significant in the context of appellate courts, such as the Supreme Court, which considers writs of certiorari to determine whether to take up cases that may involve important legal questions or substantial issues of law.

When a party believes that there has been an error in the judicial process at a lower court, they may file a petition for a writ of certiorari, asking the higher court to examine the case for potential inconsistencies, misapplications of the law, or important matters needing clarification. This process is crucial because it allows for the correction of errors and helps maintain consistency in the interpretation of law across different jurisdictions.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately describe the function of a writ of certiorari. A review of a case by a lower court typically does not involve any higher court intervention, a decision by the jury pertains specifically to trial court matters rather than appellate procedures, and a motion for an expedited trial does not relate to the review of previous court records but rather concerns the scheduling of a trial.