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Politics, Pragmatism, and Departures from the U.S. Courts of Appeals, 1954–2004

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  • Richard L. Vining

Abstract

Objective. This article uses Cox proportional hazards models to explain departures from the U.S. Courts of Appeals from 1954–2004. I argue that reforms to pension eligibility and financial incentives in 1984 extended opportunities for voluntary departures and strategic behavior, and that reasons for quitting (whether political, personal, or institutional) differed among types of departures and over time. Methods. The data represent all judge‐years from 1954–2004. Both the full period and 1954–1983 and 1984–2004 subperiods are examined. Results. The effects of political factors are limited to partial retirements and suggest judges' recognition of contentious confirmation politics since the 1980s. Personal and institutional variables dominate outright departures. Conclusions. Explanations for departures from the circuit bench differ both by type and over time. Scholars and policymakers should refine arguments regarding judicial turnover and its causes.

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  • Richard L. Vining, 2009. "Politics, Pragmatism, and Departures from the U.S. Courts of Appeals, 1954–2004," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(4), pages 834-853, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:90:y:2009:i:4:p:834-853
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2009.00665.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Albert Yoon, 2005. "As You Like It: Senior Federal Judges and the Political Economy of Judicial Tenure," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(3), pages 495-549, November.
    2. Richard T. Boylan, 2004. "Do the Sentencing Guidelines Influence the Retirement Decisions of Federal Judges?," The Journal of Legal Studies, University of Chicago Press, vol. 33(1), pages 231-253, January.
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