Supreme Court Precedent in a Judicial Hierarchy

What is it about?

This study offers insight on the factors that increase the propensity of judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals to cite and follow the precedents of the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Why is it important?

We offer a theory in which both Supreme Court and circuit-level influences drive U.S. Courts of Appeals responses to the Supreme Court’s precedents. Our theory allows us to more fully assess the implications of choices that circuit court judges make in their decision to rely on a particular precedent of the Court.