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Sampson V. Murray (1973)

 

Document 1

From: William O. Douglas
To: Thurgood Marshall
Copied: Conference
On: December 19th, 1973
Action: Dissent Opinion Assignment
The memo may ask another justice to write a dissent; a justice may indicate that the dissent will not be assigned right now; memo responding to a dissent assignment (but not accepting assignment, which would be Code 204)

Document 2

From: Thurgood Marshall
To: Thurgood Marshall
Copied: Conference
On: December 27th, 1973
Action: Will Write Dissenting Opinion
A memo where a justice states that he or she will circulate a dissenting opinion draft, including that a dissenting opinion will be out soon or that a revised draft of the dissenting opinion will be circulated; this also applies to statements responding to dissent assignments like will be glad to write dissent, self-assignment of dissent (e.g., we are in dissent and I will write it), or requesting permission to write dissent (e.g., is it ok if I write a dissent)

Document 3

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: January 7th, 1974
Action: Majority Opinion
This refers to a majority opinion draft

Document 4

From: William O. Douglas
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: January 9th, 1974
Action: Will Write Dissenting Opinion
A memo where a justice states that he or she will circulate a dissenting opinion draft, including that a dissenting opinion will be out soon or that a revised draft of the dissenting opinion will be circulated; this also applies to statements responding to dissent assignments like will be glad to write dissent, self-assignment of dissent (e.g., we are in dissent and I will write it), or requesting permission to write dissent (e.g., is it ok if I write a dissent)

Document 5

From: Lewis F. Powell
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: January 9th, 1974
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: Byron R. White
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: January 10th, 1974
Action: Await Dissent
Justice indicates that he or she awaits a dissenting opinion, including opinions that dissent in part

Document 7

From: Thurgood Marshall
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: January 11th, 1974
Action: Concurring Opinion
This refers to a concurring opinion draft

Document 8

From: Warren E. Burger
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: January 11th, 1974
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 9

From: Harry A. Blackmun
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: January 14th, 1974
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 10

From: William O. Douglas
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: January 17th, 1974
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 11

From: Byron R. White
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: January 28th, 1974
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 12

From: Thurgood Marshall
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: January 31st, 1974
Action: Suggestion to Majority Opinion
This includes memo with broad statements including that a justice cannot join the opinion, cannot join a part of the opinion, does not agree with the opinion, or has continuing doubts with the opinion; memos that indicate that the author's change is not enough; memos that make suggestions for specific changes to majority opinion or that express reservations about some aspect of the majority opinion; this code is also given for suggestions to memorandum opinions by an assigned author
Action: Memo about Supplemental or Amicus Briefs
Justice may express views on need for additional briefs (e.g., no need for supplemental briefs); justices may discuss proposed questions for supplemental briefs; justices may discuss oral arguments, reargument, or parties' briefs (e.g., date, length, exact questions that should be presented at orals or in briefs); justices may discuss asking litigants for additional information
Action: Propose Disposition in Case (Vote in a Case)
DIG (dismiss cert as improvidently granted); want to reach merits instead of DIG; would not DIG; affirm; reverse; remand; vacate; moot; court lacks jurisdiction; conference vote; withhold vote for now; defer vote; adhere to conference vote; initial vote in case; change conference vote; memo asking how others' vote on disposition

Document 13

From: Potter Stewart
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 1st, 1974
Action: Agree with Opinion Author
Memo expresses justice's agreement with a majority opinion author's proposal, footnote, or proposed change; justice might state that he or she is open to the change
Action: Memo about Supplemental or Amicus Briefs
Justice may express views on need for additional briefs (e.g., no need for supplemental briefs); justices may discuss proposed questions for supplemental briefs; justices may discuss oral arguments, reargument, or parties' briefs (e.g., date, length, exact questions that should be presented at orals or in briefs); justices may discuss asking litigants for additional information

Document 14

From: William O. Douglas
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 1st, 1974
Action: Agree with Opinion Author
Memo expresses justice's agreement with a majority opinion author's proposal, footnote, or proposed change; justice might state that he or she is open to the change

Document 15

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Thurgood Marshall
Copied: Conference
On: February 1st, 1974
Action: Memo about Supplemental or Amicus Briefs
Justice may express views on need for additional briefs (e.g., no need for supplemental briefs); justices may discuss proposed questions for supplemental briefs; justices may discuss oral arguments, reargument, or parties' briefs (e.g., date, length, exact questions that should be presented at orals or in briefs); justices may discuss asking litigants for additional information

Document 16

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 1st, 1974
Action: Majority Opinion Author's Response
May be response to a suggestion, reservation, or a separate opinion; may also say that author will respond to another opinion; may state majority opinion author's change to opinion that was not prompted by another justice; may indicate that the opinion is different from the conference discussion; may be a circulation of a portion of the opinion (a footnote, multiple pages without circulating the whole opinion); may be a suggestion from the majority opinion author regarding several options for changing majority opinion; may be a suggestion from the author for a change that could be made to opinion

Document 17

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Warren E. Burger, Byron R. White, Harry A. Blackmun
Copied: None
On: February 4th, 1974
Action: Majority Opinion Author's Response
May be response to a suggestion, reservation, or a separate opinion; may also say that author will respond to another opinion; may state majority opinion author's change to opinion that was not prompted by another justice; may indicate that the opinion is different from the conference discussion; may be a circulation of a portion of the opinion (a footnote, multiple pages without circulating the whole opinion); may be a suggestion from the majority opinion author regarding several options for changing majority opinion; may be a suggestion from the author for a change that could be made to opinion

Document 18

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Warren E. Burger, Potter Stewart, Byron R. White
Copied: None
On: February 4th, 1974
Action: Cover Memo to Majority Opinion or Per Curiam Opinion
This includes a cover memo to memorandum opinion if written by the assigned author; cover memo to changes to majority opinion
Action: Majority Opinion Author's Response
May be response to a suggestion, reservation, or a separate opinion; may also say that author will respond to another opinion; may state majority opinion author's change to opinion that was not prompted by another justice; may indicate that the opinion is different from the conference discussion; may be a circulation of a portion of the opinion (a footnote, multiple pages without circulating the whole opinion); may be a suggestion from the majority opinion author regarding several options for changing majority opinion; may be a suggestion from the author for a change that could be made to opinion

Document 19

From: Byron R. White
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Warren E. Burger, Harry A. Blackmun, Lewis F. Powell
On: February 6th, 1974
Action: Change is Acceptable
Memo indicating that a change to majority opinion is acceptable to a justice (e.g., suggested change is ok with me; like changes in majority opinion).

Document 20

From: Byron R. White
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: February 6th, 1974
Action: Agree with Opinion Author
Memo expresses justice's agreement with a majority opinion author's proposal, footnote, or proposed change; justice might state that he or she is open to the change

Document 21

From: Thurgood Marshall
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 7th, 1974
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 22

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 11th, 1974
Action: Majority Opinion
This refers to a majority opinion draft

Document 23

From: Harry A. Blackmun
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: February 11th, 1974
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 24

From: William O. Douglas
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 11th, 1974
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 25

From: Thurgood Marshall
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 11th, 1974
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 26

From: Warren E. Burger
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: February 13th, 1974
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 27

From: Potter Stewart
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: February 13th, 1974
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 28

From: Lewis F. Powell
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: February 13th, 1974
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 29

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Thurgood Marshall
Copied: Conference
On: February 14th, 1974
Action: Join Dissent
Memos where a justice states that they join a dissenting opinion, including joining the dissent in part, joining a dissent from denial of cert, or joining a dissent at foot. The identity of the dissenting opinion author who receives the join is located in the JOINED variable.

Document 30

From: Thurgood Marshall
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: February 14th, 1974
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form