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Is Justice Blind: An Empirical Investigaton of a Normative Ideal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2024

Harold J. Spaeth ,
David B. Meltz ,
Gregory J. Rathjen  and
Michael V. Haselswerdt
Harold J. Spaeth
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
David B. Meltz
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Gregory J. Rathjen
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Michael V. Haselswerdt
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
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Extract

Of the many enduring myths which serve as the foundation for American democracy, none is as pervasive as that of judicial objectivity. While the assertion that justice is blind is probably met with understandable cynicism, most Americans still believe that their judges, especially those in the appellate courts, should approach their responsibilities with a certain myopia. The rules and customs that are the foundation of Anglo-American legal practices may be considered the basis upon which judicial objectivity rests.

Type
Research Article
Information
Law & Society Review , Volume 7 , Issue 1: Special Issue on European Sociology of Law , Fall 1972 , pp. 119 - 137
Copyright
Copyright © The Law and Society Association, 1972.

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Footnotes

AUTHORS' NOTE: We wish to thank our colleague, David W. Rhode, for his helpful comments and suggestions. This research was supported in part by PHS Research Grant No. MH 15365-01 to Harold J. Spaeth from the National Institute of Mental Health. We also acknowledge the valuable assistance provided by the Computer Institute for Social Science Research and the Department of Political Science of Michigan State University.

References

Cases

Bailey v. Central Vermont R. Co. 319 U.S. 350 (1943).Google Scholar
McAlister v. United States 348 U.S. 19 (1954).Google Scholar
Rogers v. Mo. Pacific R. Co. 352 U.S. 500 (1957).Google Scholar
Stone v. N.Y.C. & St. L. R. Co. 344 U.S. 407 (1953).Google Scholar
Street v. New York 394 U.S. 576 (1969).Google Scholar

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