SCOTUS Mapper Library: Mapping Resources

Since 2012, the SCOTUS Mapper Project has developed various types of doctrinal maps using two software platforms. The first platform runs as a stand-alone on a user's desktop. Launched in February 2016, the second online platform is a collaboration with Free Law Project. For an hour-long video explaining how the new tool works, see this video.

All maps plot Court cases or opinions on an X-Y access. The X axis always represents the date of an opinion/case. All maps show relationships between opinions/cases using arrows. In most maps, arrows indicate that one opinion/case cites another. Thus, most maps represent citation networks.  Different SCOTUS maps include:

• Standard Opinion. In standard opinion maps, the Y-axis represents the number of votes an opinion received. This kind of map can separately display majority, dissents, and concurring opinions. Note that standard opinion maps can only be created with the desktop software (not available online). 
• Citation Degrees (Spread). In citation degrees maps, relationships between cases (not opinions) are shown to n-degrees of citation connection. These kinds of maps are automatically generated by the desktop and online software by querying the CourtListener database. Note that online, these maps have a designated chart type of "Spread". In citation degrees maps, the Y axis has no substantive signficance.
• Spaeth (Supreme Court Database). In Spaeth maps, data from the Supreme Court Database (aka Spaeth) is represented in the citation network. The Y-axis represents the Spaeth coding for vote for outcome (9-0, 8-1, etc) as decision direction ("liberal" or "conservative" per Spaeth). These maps are also automatically generated by the online and desktop software.
• Spaeth Genealogy. Spaeth genealogy maps look essentially the same as Spaeth maps. The difference is that genealogy maps have been cleaned by an alogorithm that reveals direct lines connecting generations of cases. For certain dense networks, this view is much easier to work with to uncover competing lines of cases. Note that Spaeth genealogy maps can only be created with the desktop software (not available online).  

Galleries contain maps of all the different types above. If you are unsure what kind of map you're looking at, look at the Y-axis and read the labels! For more detailed map explanations with links to videos and scholarly articles, check out the Resources tab.

Prof. Starger explained the basic theory behind standard opinion maps in a series of short blog posts on PrawfsBlawg in 2013. Check them out at the links below!

 I - Introduction: Visualizing SCOTUS Doctrine

II - Mapping Dissents and Competing Traditions

III - Network Analysis Compared

IV - SCOTUS Maps in the Classroom

V - SCOTUS Maps and Doctrinal Scholarship

Want to watch a movie? Prof. Scott Dodson of UC Hastings and Prof. Starger have produced a video using the mapping software that explains civil pleading doctrine -- the so called "Twiqbal" line. This video also demonstrates how the mapper can create custom maps. 

Want to dive deep? These scholary articles demonstrate ways maps can support legal analysis.

-- Exile on Main Street. This is a law review article by Prof. Starger that explains the theoretical framework of the Project. This technical article also maps out two areas of the Court's substantive due process doctirne -- economic liberty and incorporation. 

-- Expanding Stare Decisis. This is the follow-up law review article to Exile on Main Street. It maps out a third area of the Court's due process doctrine - the origins and progeny of Brady v. Maryland, which announcd a criminal defendant's constitutional right to receive exculpatory evidence.

-- The Dialectic of Stare Decisis Doctrine. This is a book chapter that uses the mapping framework to understand the Court's overruling doctrine -- its "precedent about precedent."

Visual learner? One quickest path into SCOTUS Mapping is to review one the Project's Visual Guides.

Visual Guide to NFIB v. Sebelius  ("Obamacare")

Visual Guide to United States v. Windsor (Same-sex marriage)

Visual Guide to Maryland v. King (Arrestee DNA)

This video explains the basic idea behind Citation Degrees maps and the n-degree alogorithm. It explains a map created with the desktop app, but the theory applies equally to the online tool. To open a copy of the map discussed in this video in a separate window, click here.

This video explains the basic idea behind Citation Degrees maps and the n-degree alogorithm. It explains a map created with the desktop app but the theory appllies equally to the online tool. To open a copy of the map discussed in this video in a separate window, click here.

This video explains the "Spaeth Genealogy" view, which builds upon the standard Spaeth visualization discussed in Video 2. This video also explains how to calculate a network's "Degree of Dissent" and suggests the genealogical view works best when there is a high degree of dissent. This video discusses three maps. Click the links to open copies in separate windows: Map 1 (Town of Greece to Marsh),  Map 2 (Alice to Funk), Map 3 (Hall to Trop).