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On the Meaning and Pattern of Legal Citations: Evidence from State Wrongful Discharge Precedent Cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2024

David J. Walsh
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Abstract

This study examines citation data in state wrongful discharge precedent cases from a network analytic perspective. The main question posed is whether, or to what extent, judges use citations as indicators of substantive influence on their decisionmaking versus devices primarily intended to justify decisions reached on other grounds (i.e., for legitimation). To address this question, I obtained evidence on the usefulness of distinguishing between “strong” and “weak” citations and between citation frequency and breadth. I conclude that citations in legal decisions are meaningful data and that there is evidence of both intercourt influence and legitimation at work.

Type
Research Article
Information
Law & Society Review , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , 1997 , pp. 337 - 360
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 by The Law and Society Association.

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References

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Cases

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