Judicial Politics in the United States

Judicial Politics in the United States examines the role of courts as policymaking institution, and their interactions with the other branches of government and other political actors in the American political system, helping students understand how and why courts are such important legal and political institutions in the United States. Not only does this book cover the nuts and bolts of our judicial system, from the functions, structures and processes of courts to the details of the legal profession, it goes well beyond other judicial process books by examining how the courts interact with executives, legislatures, and state and federal bureaucracies. It also includes a chapter devoted to how the courts interact with interest groups, the media, and general public opinion, and a chapter examining how U.S. courts and the judges who serve on those courts interact with other judiciaries around the world, exposing students to issues beyond our borders.

Judicial Politics in the United States balances coverage on the courts and judicial processes with discussions of broader issues of the courts’ interactions with our larger political universe and with courts abroad, making it the quintessential text for all students of judicial processes and politics.