The Supreme Court in Conference: 1940-1985

In public, Supreme Court Justices are not known for their candor while ruling upon a case. In private, however, a few days after hearing oral arguments, before deciding upon the case, the Justices openly discuss their views in what is known as the "Conference." Here, for the first time, are the transcriptions of those conference notes--taken by the Justices themselves--to more than two hundred landmark cases from 1945 to 1985, including such landmark decisions on civil rights, abortion, privacy, and Presidential power. The Supreme Court in Conference is the first book to presents the notes to the conference meetings--so private that only the Justices are present--with annotations and introductions by Del Dickson. Two lengthy essays on the conference notes put them into perspective and draw out the some of the patterns, tendencies, and personalities. Volume I covers cases involving the separation of powers and federalism, including such areas as Congressional authority, the Presidenvy, and foreign affairs. Volume II covers cases in civil rights and liberties: free speech, free press, religion, equal protection, privacy, reproductive rights, affirmative action, and many more. The full transcriptions are accompoanied with full notes, and citations. There is an extensive bibliography and index. he Supreme Court in Conference will become an essential reference work for scholars, lawyers, law students and the interested lay person.