what happens if the decisions of the supreme court are not final?

Answer 1

A decision is always final, that's why the Supreme Court is comprised of an odd number, not even. Think about your question, how can a decision not be final? It is either, YES or NO, never, Hmmmmm, wonder what we oughta do?

Answer 2

The Supreme Court will hear two different types of cases, they will hear cases that were appealed to them through the normal federal channels or they will hear cases that were appealed from a state supreme court.
Every Supreme Court decision has 2 effects. The effect on the particular citizen and the precidential effect, because the United States is a common law country and practices what is called stare decisis. Everything the Supreme Court says is law, and all cases from that point forward can not conflict with what the Supreme Court said.
If the Supreme Court rules that a statute is invalid or some other governmental act, the act can be adjusted to no longer be in violation of constitutional protections provided by the Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment. If the statute is fatally unconstitutional the only way to allow that law to stand would be to amend the Constitution. Not easy.
The case at hand for the individuals is finalized, unless the Court has sent it back down to another Court. If the case is dismissed or ruled on there are no more appeals. The claim is over and there are rules in place that prevent it from being brought up again.

Answer 3

Are you talking about the federal Supreme Court? Either the Court agrees to hear a case and decides it, or it sends the case back to the lower courts. Cases are decided by majority vote of the justices; since there are nine justices, there's always a majority. Nothing changes legally until the Court makes its decision.

Answer 4

The Supreme Court *interprets* the law; the Congress *makes* the laws. Many SC rulings have been nullified or somehow changed by changes in the law. Law always evolves, so there's always a chance that a SC decision will not remain valid forever.

Answer 5

The decisions of the lower courts will be executory if the cases are not appealed to the Supreme Court as provided for in the applicable provisions of the Rules of Court.