Courts & Judicial Process: Transparency in Judicial Proceedings

Session 3: Transparency in Judicial Proceedings
Authors: Damon Cann & Gregg Goelzhauser (Utah State)
Commentator: Judge Edward Chen (N.D. Cal.)

Room 113
March 4, 2024
10:00 am (PT)
Organized by Prof. Tejas Narechania & Judge Jeremy Fogel (ret.)

Abstract
“The Impact of Oral Argument Attendance” by Prof. Damon Cann & Prof. Gregg Goelzhauser

How does oral argument attendance impact public perceptions of the judiciary? Judicial independence is partly contingent on public support, but the conditions that generate institutional good will are not well understood. We examine how judicial outreach and court exposure inform public attitudes. Leveraging a field-experiment randomizing in-person attendance at oral arguments conducted by a federal circuit court of appeals on a university campus, we find that exposure increases perceptions of institutional legitimacy and the extent to which judicial decisions are motivated by law versus politics. The results have important implications for judicial politics and policy debates concerning reform initiatives involving circuit riding, courtroom cameras, and public outreach.

Colloquium Description

Many scholars write about the courts, about judicial process, and about the practice of judging. But what do judges think of this scholarship? Is it correct? Is it helpful? How could it be better? This colloquium on courts and judicial process brings scholars, judges, students, and faculty together to discuss current research projects about courts, judging, and procedure, among other topics. Over the course of the semester, we will discuss six projects. During a typical workshop, an invited scholar will present their work, and a judge of a federal, state, or foreign court will offer commentary on the research. Students and faculty will join in the open discussion that follows.

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