Amicus Curiae Briefs and the U.S. Supreme Court: When Liberal and Conservative Groups Support the Same Party. (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swenson, Karen
• Is Part Of: Justice system journal. Volume 37:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Appellate courts -- amicus curiae briefs -- interest groups; Justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; Court administration -- United States -- Periodicals; Court administration; Justice, Administration of; United States; Periodicals; 347.7313
• DOI: 10.1080/0098261X.2015.1024567
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-261X

Abstract

Abstract: I examine patterns of amicus curiae participation before the U.S. Supreme Court for six terms, OT2007–OT2012. I explore the interesting phenomenon of liberal and conservative group participation on the same side of a case, and I hypothesize that when this occurs, the Court is more likely to vote in favor of the party supported by these groups. I control for the impact of other factors that may influence the Court to side with a party, including the party is the U.S.; the U.S. appears as amicus curiae for that party; number of amicus briefs on behalf of the party relative to its opponent; and the ideological direction of the decision in the court below that is on appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.