What are the three main stages that cases before the Supreme Court typically must go through?

The case must first be heard at the lowest level of court. Most states have a court system that exists in the same area as a federal magistrate court or federal district court. The case must be decided by the lower court and appealed to a higher court. In the federal system this is the circuit court. Once all the lower courts have been exhausted, the lawyers may apply to be heard by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will determine which cases it will hear.