The Gatekeepers: Federal District Courts in the Political Process (Modern Dramatists Research and)

There are more than 600 Federal district judges serving today, and they decide some 230,000 civil cases each year. About 90% of the decisions they reach are final. Lyles argues that these lower court judges not only influence the flow of information to the judicial hierarchy, but they formulate questions that influence how higher courts, including the Supreme Court, respond. As such they are key elements in the formulation and implementation of public policy. To cite a few examples, they desegregate school districts, run mental institutions and prisons, break up monopolies, and reapportion legislatures. Lyles begins by examining the structure and function of federal courts and detailing the history, operation, and purpose of the district courts. He then turns to the selection, nomination, and appointment of district judges. Lyles then analyzes the extent to which presidents might advance policy objectives through their judicial appointments to the district courts. After examining how African-American, Latino, and white judges, male and female, view their roles as policy actors, Lyles concludes with a discussion of the implications of the study. Important for students and scholars of contemporary public policy and the court system. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 1. Introduction: Federal District Courts in the Political Process......Page 12 2. The Federal District Courts: Institutional and Functional Perspectives......Page 22 3. The Nomination and Appointment of Federal District Court Judges......Page 48 4. Presidential Agendas and Judicial Appointments: From Kennedy Democrats to Nixon Republicans, 1960–1976......Page 84 5. Presidential Agendas and Judicial Appointments: From Carter Democrats to Reagan Republicans, 1976–1988......Page 128 6. Presidential Agendas and Judicial Appointments: From Bush Republicans to Clinton Democrats, 1988–1996......Page 166 7. Presidential Expectation and Judicial Performance......Page 214 8. Does Race Make a Difference?: Perceptions and Attitudes of African-American, Latino, and White District Court Judges......Page 234 9. Does Gender Make a Difference?: Perceptions and Attitudes of Female District Court Judges......Page 258 10. The Gatekeepers: Conclusions......Page 280 Appendix A: The National District Court Judge Survey (NDJS)......Page 286 Appendix B: The Significant District Court Case Data (SDCC)......Page 294 Selected Bibliography......Page 302 Table of Selected Cases......Page 316 A......Page 318 C......Page 319 D......Page 320 F......Page 321 K......Page 322 M......Page 323 R......Page 324 S......Page 325 W......Page 326

There are more than 600 Federal district judges serving today, and they decide some 230,000 civil cases each year. About 90% of the decisions they reach are final. Lyles argues that these lower court judges not only influence the flow of information to the judicial hierarchy, but they formulate questions that influence how higher courts, including the Supreme Court, respond. As such they are key elements in the formulation and implementation of public policy. To cite a few examples, they desegregate school districts, run mental institutions and prisons, break up monopolies, and reapportion legislatures.

Lyles begins by examining the structure and function of federal courts and detailing the history, operation, and purpose of the district courts. He then turns to the selection, nomination, and appointment of district judges. Lyles then analyzes the extent to which presidents might advance policy objectives through their judicial appointments to the district courts. After examining how African-American, Latino, and white judges, male and female, view their roles as policy actors, Lyles concludes with a discussion of the implications of the study. Important for students and scholars of contemporary public policy and the court system.

Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 1. Introduction: Federal District Courts in the Political Process 12 2. The Federal District Courts: Institutional and Functional Perspectives 22 3. The Nomination and Appointment of Federal District Court Judges 48 4. Presidential Agendas and Judicial Appointments: From Kennedy Democrats to Nixon Republicans, 1960–1976 84 5. Presidential Agendas and Judicial Appointments: From Carter Democrats to Reagan Republicans, 1976–1988 128 6. Presidential Agendas and Judicial Appointments: From Bush Republicans to Clinton Democrats, 1988–1996 166 7. Presidential Expectation and Judicial Performance 214 8. Does Race Make a Difference?: Perceptions and Attitudes of African-American, Latino, and White District Court Judges 234 9. Does Gender Make a Difference?: Perceptions and Attitudes of Female District Court Judges 258 10. The Gatekeepers: Conclusions 280 Appendix A: The National District Court Judge Survey (NDJS) 286 Appendix B: The Significant District Court Case Data (SDCC) 294 Selected Bibliography 302 Table of Selected Cases 316 Index 318 A 318 B 319 C 319 D 320 E 321 F 321 G 322 H 322 J 322 K 322 L 323 M 323 N 324 O 324 P 324 Q 324 R 324 S 325 T 326 U 326 V 326 W 326 027596082X,9780275960827 Praeger Publishers A comprehensive examination of the role of the federal district courts in the political and public policy process.