The Supreme Court Opinion Writing Database

Document 1

From: William O. Douglas

To: Conference

Copied: None

On: May 4th, 1970

Action: Majority Opinion

This refers to a majority opinion draft

Document 2

From: Byron R. White

To: William O. Douglas

Copied: Conference

On: May 5th, 1970

Action: Join Majority Opinion

Memos where a justice joins the majority opinion includes please join me; I agree; I am still with you; I acquiesce; I will go along; I dissent but will be silent; graveyard join or dissent. This code includes join of memorandum opinions if it is written by the assigned author, orders if it disposes of case, decrees, per curiam opinions. It also includes statements that the justice joins, but subject to what others might write.

Document 3

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.

To: William O. Douglas

Copied: Conference

On: May 5th, 1970

Action: Join Majority Opinion

Memos where a justice joins the majority opinion includes please join me; I agree; I am still with you; I acquiesce; I will go along; I dissent but will be silent; graveyard join or dissent. This code includes join of memorandum opinions if it is written by the assigned author, orders if it disposes of case, decrees, per curiam opinions. It also includes statements that the justice joins, but subject to what others might write.

Document 4

From: John M. Harlan

To: William O. Douglas

Copied: Conference

On: May 6th, 1970

Action: Join Majority Opinion

Memos where a justice joins the majority opinion includes please join me; I agree; I am still with you; I acquiesce; I will go along; I dissent but will be silent; graveyard join or dissent. This code includes join of memorandum opinions if it is written by the assigned author, orders if it disposes of case, decrees, per curiam opinions. It also includes statements that the justice joins, but subject to what others might write.

Document 5

From: Hugo. L. Black

To: Conference

Copied: None

On: May 7th, 1970

Action: Dissenting Opinion

This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 6

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.

To: William O. Douglas

Copied: Conference

On: May 7th, 1970

Action: Join Majority Opinion

Memos where a justice joins the majority opinion includes please join me; I agree; I am still with you; I acquiesce; I will go along; I dissent but will be silent; graveyard join or dissent. This code includes join of memorandum opinions if it is written by the assigned author, orders if it disposes of case, decrees, per curiam opinions. It also includes statements that the justice joins, but subject to what others might write.

Document 7

From: Thurgood Marshall

To: William O. Douglas

Copied: Conference

On: May 8th, 1970

Action: Join Majority Opinion

Memos where a justice joins the majority opinion includes please join me; I agree; I am still with you; I acquiesce; I will go along; I dissent but will be silent; graveyard join or dissent. This code includes join of memorandum opinions if it is written by the assigned author, orders if it disposes of case, decrees, per curiam opinions. It also includes statements that the justice joins, but subject to what others might write.

Document 8

From: Warren E. Burger

To: William O. Douglas

Copied: Conference

On: May 13th, 1970

Action: Join Majority Opinion

Memos where a justice joins the majority opinion includes please join me; I agree; I am still with you; I acquiesce; I will go along; I dissent but will be silent; graveyard join or dissent. This code includes join of memorandum opinions if it is written by the assigned author, orders if it disposes of case, decrees, per curiam opinions. It also includes statements that the justice joins, but subject to what others might write.