<P> Throughout the term, but mostly during the last months of the term--May, June, and, if necessary, July--the Court announces its opinions . The decision of the Court is subsequently published, first as a slip opinion, and subsequently in the United States Reports . In recent years, opinions have been available on the Supreme Court's website and other legal websites on the morning they are announced . Since recording devices have been banned inside the courtroom, the fastest way for decisions of landmark cases to reach the press is through the Running of the Interns . </P> <P> The opinion of the Court is usually signed by the author; occasionally, the Supreme Court may issue an unsigned opinion per curiam . The practice of issuing a single opinion of the Court was initiated during the tenure of Chief Justice John Marshall during the early 19th century . This custom replaced the previous practice under which each Justice, whether in the majority or the minority, issued a separate opinion . The older practice is still followed by appellate courts in many common law jurisdictions outside the United States . </P> <Dl> <Dd> For more specific details on how cases are cited, see case citation . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> For more specific details on how cases are cited, see case citation . </Dd>

Steps of a case heard in the supreme court