AMICUS PRACTICE COMMITTEE

Message From The Co-Chairs

The Amicus Briefs Committee does not hold "in person" meetings. Rather, its co-chairs confer by telephone or e-mail to consider requests that the Criminal Justice Section seek ABA Board of Governors authorization to file amicus briefs.
ABA amicus briefs are filed sparingly and only when the position sought to be advanced is consistent with previously adopted ABA policy, of special significance to lawyers or the legal profession, or a matter of compelling public interest.

Terence Anderson, Rory K Little

Who We Are/Goals

The Committee reviews requests that the Section seek ABA Board of Governors approval for amicus curiae briefs filed on behalf of the Association on issues related to criminal law. Factors considered when making a recommendation to the Section leadership concern the importance of the issue, the existence of relevant ABA policy, the appropriateness of ABA amicus participation in the court where the issue is currently being heard, specific contributions that ABA amicus participation would make over and beyond the arguments of the parties, and the quality of the proposed brief.

Goals

To respond to requests that the Criminal Justice Section seek ABA Board of Governors authorization to file amicus briefs.

To work within the parameters of the ABA approach to amicus briefs that are filed sparingly and only when the position sought to be advanced is consistent with previously adopted ABA policy, of special significance to lawyers or the legal profession, or a matter of compelling public interest

Recent Briefs

Recent ABA amicus briefs initiated or supported by the Criminal Justice Section are listed below. For descriptions of these briefs, click here http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/amicusbriefs/

For copies of the individual briefs, click on the individual listings.

Halbert v. Michigan http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/news/halbertamicus.pdf

House v. Bell http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/news/houseamicus.pdf

Virginia v. Moore http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/news/virginiavmoore.pdf

Woodford v. Ngo http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/news/ngoamicus.pdf

Sample CJS Product

Science of Cross Examination with Terence MacCarthy, The In this program, Terence MacCarthy explains and demonstrates his innovative system of cross examination. He gives straightforward methods to control t... more

Leadership

Co-Chair:  Terence Anderson, Rory K Little

Committee Roster (2 total members)

Upcoming CJS Events

Sites of Interest