Judicial Decision Making: Three Models
I. Legal Influences
A. Procedural
1. Justiciability Issues
c. Mootness
d. Ripeness
2. Time Limitations
3. Self-Restraint
4. Interpretative Doctrines
B. Substantive
1. Statutory Language
II. Political Influences
A. Attitudinal: Political, Social, Economic
1. Conservatism
2. Liberalism
B. Organizational
1. Interest Groups
a. Judicial Selection
b. Litigation (amicus curiae briefs - example)
c. Professional Publications
C. Institutional: Strategies Considerations
III. Rational-Choice
A. Typical Dominance of Legal Influences
B. Circumstances Promoting Dominance of Attitudinal Model
1. "Close" Cases
2. Role of Precedents
3. Presence of Issues in Case High on Policy Preference of Judges
4. Presence of Extreme Societal Stress
Key Web Sites