> Your interpretation is about the least likely.
The justices denied my first petition by denying its motion to file under seal. That was #18M57: https://www.supremecourt.gov/Search.aspx?FileName=/docket/do...
Some time after sending this petition I called to ask what was up. The clerk said he'd do something for me.
I didn't figure out the motion was denied until I called again, months later. They transferred me to the person I'd talked to before (who I'd later figure out was relatively high up the ladder at the clerks' office). He sounded very uncomfortable, and promised to send me another copy of the denial letter.
Later the Clerk of the Supreme Court refused to docket a paid petition for writ of habeas corpus, because it was 100% next-friend, and was not signed by my friend. I think the rules are clear that that type of petition was acceptable, but the clerk wouldn't docket it. I think that cost me $1400.
The Supreme Court Clerk "screwed up" & delayed my application for injunctive relief for a few weeks, by "mistakenly" sending it back to me. From https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22A181/237218/2022... -
Additionally, I’ve realized your return letter to me for Application 22A181,
dated August 17 2022, was “sloppy”: your deputy clerk used the dates of
denials of my petition #21-6444, but the title of #21-1493. I assume this was
an honest mistake. Even if you have secret orders to be extraordinarily strict
with my submissions to your office, [...]