Choi, SJ (Choi, Stephen J.); Gulati, GM (Gulati, G. Mitu) Bias in judicial citations: A window into the behavior of judges? JOURNAL OF LEGAL STUDIES, 37 (1): 87-129 JAN 2008

[Eugene Garfield]

Email Address: stephen.choi at nyu.edu 

Author(s): Choi, SJ (Choi, Stephen J.); Gulati, GM (Gulati, G. Mitu) 

Title: Bias in judicial citations: A window into the behavior of judges? 

Source: JOURNAL OF LEGAL STUDIES, 37 (1): 87-129 JAN 2008 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Keywords Plus: SUPREME-COURT-JUSTICES; UNITED-STATES COURTS; FEDERAL-
COURTS; US-COURTS; APPEALS; POLICY; DECISIONS; PRECEDENT; IDEOLOGY; 
POLITICS 

Abstract: This article tests for the presence of bias in judicial 
citations within federal circuit court opinions. Our findings suggest bias 
along three dimensions. First, judges base outside-circuit citation 
decisions in part on the political party of the cited judge. Judges tend 
to cite judges of the opposite political party less often than would be 
expected considering the fraction of the total pool of opinions 
attributable to judges of the opposite political party. Second, judges are 
more likely to engage in biased citation practices in certain high-stakes 
situations. These high-stakes situations include opinions dealing with 
certain subject matters (such as individual rights and campaign finance) 
as well as opinions in which another judge is in active opposition. Third, 
judges more often cite those judges who cite them frequently, which 
suggests the presence of mutual citation clubs. 

Addresses: NYU, Sch Law, New York, NY 10003 USA; Duke Univ, Sch Law, 
Durham, NC 27706 USA 

Reprint Address: Choi, SJ, NYU, Sch Law, New York, NY 10003 USA. 

Cited Reference Count: 44 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: UNIV CHICAGO PRESS 

Publisher Address: 1427 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60637-2954 USA 

ISSN: 0047-2530 

29-char Source Abbrev.: J LEGAL STUD 

ISO Source Abbrev.: J. Legal Stud. 

Source Item Page Count: 43 

Subject Category: Law 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 324KT 

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