Are you kidding? It's not even one percent and going lower almost every year.
Well, the % of cases accepted depends on what one is counting. Overall, the acceptance rate is 1-2%, but if you separate the in forma pauperis cases from those prepared by attorneys, I’m pretty sure the latter is still around 8%. The instant case falls in the latter category and it is that group to which I was referring.
“According to the “Chief Justice’s Year-End Reports on the Federal Judiciary” for 2009, approximately 80% of petitions for writ of certiorari also file a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Only 20% of the cases are filed in the Supreme Court’s paid docket.
“2008 Petitions:
“6,142 in forma pauperis docket (79.4%)
1,596 paid docket (20.6)
7,738 total 2008
“2007 Petitions:
“6,527 in forma pauperis docket (80.4%)
1,614 paid docket (19.6%)
8,241 total 2007
“Approximately 50% of the petitions granted cert originate in the in forma pauperis docket; however, since the pool of cases for that docket it much larger than for the paid docket, paid cases are statistically more likely to be accepted on appeal.”
Here’s the source:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_in_forma_pauperis_petitions_are_filed_with_the_US_Supreme_Court_each_year