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POLI 463: Equal Protection: Briefs, Dockets, and More

Briefs

A brief is "a document used to submit a legal contention or argument to a court. A brief typically sets out the facts of the case and the party's legal arguments. These arguments must be supported by legal authority and precedent, such as statutes, regulations, and previous court decisions." - Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary

 

Pleadings and Motions

"Pleadings are the documents in a legal proceeding or action which set forth the allegations of the respective parties as to the issues to be tried or determined; they either support or defeat the cause of action or claim being brought." - American Jurisprudence 2d

A motion is "a written or oral application requesting a court to make a specified ruling or order." - Black's Law Dictionary

 

Official Minutes

The Journal of the Supreme Court of the United States is the official source of Court minutes. "It is published chronologically for each day the Court issues orders or opinions or holds oral argument".

Supreme Court Dockets

A docket (aka court calendar, trail schedule, or trial list) is "a list of the cases and hearings that will be held by a court on a particular day, week, or month." - Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary

*Dockets from 1996 to the end of 2000 have not yet been scanned

Audio and Transcripts