Decision Making in the U.S. Courts of Appeals - Frank B. Cross

Here's a new book for people trying to understand how the courts do what they do: Frank B. Cross, Decision Making in the U.S. Courts of Appeals (KF8990 .C76 2007 at Classified Stacks).

This groundbreaking book analyzes the decisions made by the United States circuit courts over the past half century. These courts have a profound impact on the law—they issue many more decisions in many more areas of law than the Supreme Court. Cross demonstrates that while the courts' judges are influenced by ideology and by the appointing president, legal requirements exercise a much stronger influence on their decisions. He also shows that these courts are independent of the other branches of government and free from undue influence of various parties. The book further introduces new research on the precedent-setting power of decisions.

Publisher's description.