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Modern Database: 2014 Release 01

2014 Release 01

We provide both Case Centered and Justice Centered data. In the Case Centered data the unit of analysis is the case; i.e., each row of the database contains information about an individual dispute. These data should be used unless the votes of the individuals justices are of interest. The Justice Centered data include a row for each justice participating in each dispute. Please see the Instructions for more information.

For instructions on citing to the SCDB, please consult the codebook’s Citing to The SCDB.

Case Centered Data

Case Centered data provides case level information; i.e., each row in the database corresponds to a dispute. These data do not contain specific justice vote information.

Download file sets organized by the following criteria:

This database includes one row for each dispute. Consolidated cases (those with multiple dockets) or cases with multiple issues or legal provisions are included only once. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0.)

This database includes a row for each docket. Thus, consolidated cases appear multiple times, but there is only a single issue and legal provision for each case. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0 or 1.)

This database includes a row for each issue and legal provision dealt with by the Court for each docket. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0, 1, 2, 3, or 5.)

This database includes the very rare instances when the Court has multiple vote coalitions on a single issue or legal provision. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.)

Justice Centered Data

Justice Centered data includes a set of justice votes for each dispute, along with the case information. The unit of analysis is the vote. These data should be used if the votes of the justices are of interest.

Download file sets organized by the following criteria:

This database includes one set of justice votes for each dispute. Consolidated cases (those with multiple dockets) or cases with multiple issues or legal provisions are included only once. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0.)

This database includes one set of justice votes for each docket. Thus, consolidated cases appear multiple times, but there is only a single issue and legal provision for each case. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0 or 1.)

This database includes one set of justice votes for each issue and legal provision dealt with by the Court for each docket. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0, 1, 2, 3, or 5.)

This database includes the very rare instances when the Court has multiple vote coalitions on a single issue or legal provision. The database contains up to two sets of justice votes for each issue and legal provision. (For users of the original Spaeth database, ANALU=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.)

Release Details

Release ID: SCDB_2014_01
Release Date: July 23, 2014
Includes Terms: 1946 - 2013
Release Notes: Addition of the 2013 term Correction made to Vinson Natual Court dates. Minor corrections as reported.

Cite this Data Release:

				
					Harold J. Spaeth, Lee Epstein, Michael J. Nelson, Andrew D. Martin, et al. 2014 Supreme Court Database, Version 2014 Release 1. URL: https://scdb.psu.edu