The Supreme Court Opinion Writing Database

Document 1

From: Warren E. Burger

To: Conference

Copied: None

On: June 2nd, 1972

Action: Majority Opinion

This refers to a majority opinion draft

Document 2

From: William O. Douglas

To: Conference

Copied: None

On: June 3rd, 1972

Action: Dissenting Opinion

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

Document 3

From: Harry A. Blackmun

To: Warren E. Burger

Copied: Conference

On: June 5th, 1972

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: Thurgood Marshall

To: Warren E. Burger

Copied: Conference

On: June 5th, 1972

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: Potter Stewart

To: Warren E. Burger

Copied: Conference

On: June 5th, 1972

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 6

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.

To: Warren E. Burger

Copied: Conference

On: June 5th, 1972

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: William H. Rehnquist

To: Warren E. Burger

Copied: Conference

On: June 6th, 1972

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: Lewis F. Powell

To: Warren E. Burger

Copied: Conference

On: June 6th, 1972

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.