What does the Supreme Court issue if it wants to hear an appeal from the Court of Appeals?

The Supreme Court issues a writ of certiorari when it decides to review a case from a lower court, such as the Court of Appeals. This term specifically refers to the court's discretion to select cases for review, which is fundamental in the legal process. The issuance of a writ of certiorari signals that the Supreme Court will consider the legal principles involved in the case rather than the facts itself, allowing the Court to intervene when it deems it necessary to resolve significant questions of law or to rectify inconsistencies in lower court decisions.

In contrast, the other terms serve different purposes within the judicial system. A writ of appeal pertains to a formal request for an appellate review, which isn't applicable here, as the Supreme Court doesn't automatically accept these requests. A court order involves directions issued by a court but doesn't specifically concern its decisions regarding hearing appeals. Lastly, a writ of mandamus is a command from a court to a lower court or government official to perform a duty that they are legally obligated to complete; it does not relate to the Supreme Court’s power to choose cases to hear. Thus, the selection of "certiorari" accurately reflects the Court's mechanism for reviewing appeals from lower courts.