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Issue

Variable Name
issue

Spaeth Name
ISSUE

Normalizations
278 [ view ]

This variable identifies the issue for each decision. Although criteria for the identification of issues are hard to articulate, the focus here is on the subject matter of the controversy (e.g., sex discrimination, state tax, affirmative action) rather than its legal basis (e.g., the equal protection clause) (see the variable lawType).

This variable and its counterpart, issue area, cover the waterfront of the Court's decisions. However, neither of them provide the specificity that users commonly want. The three legal provision variables reduce the generic quality of issue and issue area to a more specific level. They are discussed in the first of the legal provisions below.

Because the database extends over four centuries of the Court's decisions during which time the Court's jurisdiction changed drastically, the description of many specific variables does not provide a good fit. Thus, for example, 'debtors' rights,' which locates in the civil rights issue area, contains many nineteenth century cases that have little, if anything, to do with civil rights as understood today. Nor do a vast majority of early takings cases have any reference to due process, and many of the early criminal procedure cases don't involve crimes at all. Conversely, to have lumped all railroad cases, bar none, into one variable would have erased the many types of situations in which nineteenth and early twentieth century railroads found themselves.

This situation results because the original (Spaeth) database began with the Warren Court, followed by its predecessor, the Vinson Court. We made a decision to retain the twentieth century listing and apply it as best we could to the eighteenth and nineteenth century decisions. We found it possible with the addition of only the seven common law law decisions (variables 140010-140070), plus a couple of others. Obviously, this decision produced definitonal stretching. Users, of course, may redefine issues to suit themselves

This variable identifies issues on the basis of the Court's own statements as to what the case is about. The objective is to categorize the case from a public policy standpoint, a perspective that the legal basis for decision (lawType) commonly disregards.

A few issues pertain only to the heritage (legacy) cases; those decided between 1791 and 1946. These include the private action category, typically common law issues: real property, personal property, contracts, evidence, civil procedure, wills and trusts, and commercial transactions. Others pertain to slavery, land claims (mostly state and territorial), executive authority vis-a-vis congress or the states, and incorporation of foreign territories.

Unlike the lawType variable where the number of legal provisions at issue has no preordained upper bound, each legal provision should generally not have more than a single issue applied to it. A second issue should apply only when a preference for one rather than the other cannot readily be made. Of the many thousand records in the database, few have a legal basis for decision that applies to a second issue. (If you are interested in decisions with more than one issue or legal provision, use one of the datasets organized by issue/legal provision.)

Because the database spans the entire four-century history of the Supreme Court, It is desirable that the list of modern issues be related to those of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Thus, in specifying the issue in a legacy case, the one that best accords with what today's Court would consider it to be is chosen. This produces a bit of tension, most all of which only requires a broadening of the scope of the relevant issues, rather than the creation of new time-specific ones. Thus, although state and local governments were not bound to adhere to the provisions of the Bill of Rights until well after the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment, many cases did arise involving aspects of the First Amendment, search and seizure, notice and hearing, etc. These are treated compatibly with the modern use of the relevant provision of the Bill of Rights.

The same rule applies to statutory issues, such as rules of procedure. Although their legal provision is Supreme Court Rules, they are coded as issues of civil (90110) or criminal (10370) procedure even though they antedate the relevant Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure.

Prize cases in which vessels on the high seas are captured and brought into American ports and the confiscation acts resulting from the Civil War and World War I are treated either as due process takings clause cases (40070) or as cases involving the jurisdiction of the federal courts (90320 or 90330) to decide the legality of the capture or confiscation.

The variable codes 260 issues, each of which has an identifying number. They are ordered below by their larger issue area: criminal procedure (10010-10600), civil rights (20010-20410), First Amendment (30010-30020), due process (40010-40070), privacy (50010-50040), attorneys (60010-60040), unions (70010-70210), economic activity (80010-80350), judicial power (90010-90520), federalism (100010-100130), interstate relation (110010-110030), federal taxation (120010-120040), miscellaneous (130010-130020), and private law (140010-140080). These comprise the codes for a separate variable, Issue Area, that is described immediately following this one.

The scope of these categories is as follows: criminal procedure encompasses the rights of persons accused of crime, except for the due process rights of prisoners (issue 40040).

Civil rights includes non-First Amendment freedom cases which pertain to classifications based on race (including American Indians), age, indigency, voting, residency, military or handicapped status, gender, and alienage. Purists may wish to treat the military issues (20230, 20240, 20250) and Indian cases (20150, 20160) as economic activity, while others may wish to include the privacy category as a subset of civil rights.

First Amendment encompasses the scope of this constitutional provision, but do note that not every case in the First Amendment group directly involves the interpretation and application of a provision of the First Amendment. Some, for example, may only construe a precedent, or the reviewability of a claim based on the First Amendment, or the scope of an administrative rule or regulation that impacts the exercise of First Amendment freedoms. In other words, not every record that displays a First Amendment issue will correspondingly display a provision of the First Amendment in its legal provision variable (lawType).

Due process is limited to non-criminal guarantees and, like First Amendment issues, need not show 207 (Fifth Amendment Due Process) or 230 (Fourteenth Amendment Due Process) in the lawType variable. Some of you may wish to include state court assertion of jurisdiction over nonresident defendants and the takings clause as part of judicial power and economic activity, respectively, rather than due process.

The four issues comprising privacy may be treated as a subset of civil rights.

Because of their peculiar role in the judicial process, a separate attorney category has been created, which also includes their compensation and licenses, along with trhose of governmental officials and employees. You may wish to include these issues with economic activity, however.

Unions encompass those issues involving labor union activity. You may wish to redefine this category for yourself or combine it, in whole or in part, with economic activity.

Economic activity is largely commercial and business related; it includes tort actions and employee actions vis-a-vis employers. Issues 80140 (government corruption)and 80150 (zoning) are only tangential to the other issues located in economic activity.

Judicial power concerns the exercise of the judiciary's own power. To the extent that a number of these issues concern federal-state court relationships, you may wish to include them in the federalism category.

Federalism pertains to conflicts and other relationships between the federal government and the states, except for those between the federal and state courts. Interstate relations contain three types of disputes which occur between or among states.

Federal taxation concerns the Internal Revenue Code and related statutes. Miscellaneous contains three groups of cases that do not fit into any other category.

Private law relates to disputes between private persons involving real and personal property, contracts, evidence, civil procedure, torts, wills and trusts, and commercial transactions. Prior to the passage of the Judges' Bill of 1925 much -- arguably most -- of the Court's cases concerned such issues. The Judges' Bill gave the Court control of its docket, as a result of which such cases have disappeared from the Court's docket in preference to litigation of more general applicability.

If interest lies in a particular issue that has a specific legal or constitutional component, comprehensive coverage may be insured by listing not only the issue(s) that bear thereon, but also the appropriate code(s) from the lawType variable. Thus, if the right to counsel is the focus, issues 10120, 20320, and 20330 will fall within its scope, as will code 214 (Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel) from the lawType variable. Also recognize that the party variables (petitioner, petitionerState, respondent,
respondentState) may also help locate the cases of interest.

Note that jury instructions (10220) need not necessarily occur in the context of criminal action. This is especially so in heritage cases.

Issue 80110 (state regulation of business) also includes that of local governments. These are combined with state regulation because many heritage cases involve both.

Issue 90110 (federal rules of civil procedure) includes Supreme Court Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in civil litigation, Circuit Court Rules, state rules, and admiralty rules.

Natonal supremacy cases, in the context of federal-state conflicts (10050-100120)involve the general welfare, contract, supremacy, or interstate commerce causes, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. These cases are distinguishable from the pre-empton cases (100020 abd 100030) because they have a constitutional basis for decision.

Note that the legal provision variable and the first five background variables may supplement specification of case issue. Thus, for example, if you are interested in the huge mass of railroad cases generally that prevailed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century decisions, case name will be of more help than the issues pertaining to railroad litigation.

Values:

10010	involuntary confession
10020	habeas corpus
10030	plea bargaining: the constitutionality of and/or the circumstances of its exercise
10040	retroactivity (of newly announced or newly enacted constitutional or statutory rights)
10050	search and seizure (other than as pertains to vehicles or Crime Control Act)
10060	search and seizure, vehicles
10070	search and seizure, Crime Control Act
10080	contempt of court or congress
10090	self-incrimination (other than as pertains to Miranda or immunity from prosecution)
10100	Miranda warnings
10110	self-incrimination, immunity from prosecution
10120	right to counsel (cf. indigents appointment of counsel or inadequate representation)
10130	cruel and unusual punishment, death penalty (cf. extra legal jury influence, death penalty)
10140	cruel and unusual punishment, non-death penalty (cf. liability, civil rights acts)
10150	line-up Note: admissibility into evidence of identification obtained after accused was taken into custody, or after indictment or information
10160	discovery and inspection (in the context of criminal litigation only, otherwise Freedom of Information Act and related federal or state statutes or regulations)
10170	double jeopardy
10180	ex post facto (state)
10190	extra-legal jury influences: miscellaneous Note: no question regarding the right to a jury trial or to a speedy trial (these belong in jury trial and speedy trial, respectively); the focus, rather, is on the fairness to the accused when jurors are exposed to the influences specified
10200	extra-legal jury influences: prejudicial statements or evidence
10210	extra-legal jury influences: contact with jurors outside courtroom
10220	extra-legal jury influences: jury instructions (not necessarily in criminal cases)
10230	extra-legal jury influences: voir dire (not necessarily a criminal case)
10240	extra-legal jury influences: prison garb or appearance
10250	extra-legal jury influences: jurors and death penalty (cf. cruel and unusual punishment)
10260	extra-legal jury influences: pretrial publicity
10270	confrontation (right to confront accuser, call and cross-examine witnesses)
10280	subconstitutional fair procedure: confession of error Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10290	subconstitutional fair procedure: conspiracy (cf. Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure: conspiracy) Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10300	subconstitutional fair procedure: entrapment Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10310	subconstitutional fair procedure: exhaustion of remedies Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10320	subconstitutional fair procedure: fugitive from justice Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10330	subconstitutional fair procedure: presentation, admissibility, or sufficiency of evidence (not necessarily a criminal case) Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10340	subconstitutional fair procedure: stay of execution Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10350	subconstitutional fair procedure: timeliness Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10360	subconstitutional fair procedure: miscellaneous Note: nonsubstantive rules and procedures pertaining to the administration of justice that do not rise to the level of a constitutional matter. This is the residual category insofar as criminal procedure is concerned. Note that this issue need not necessarily pertain to a criminal action. If the case involves an indigent, consider indigent categories.
10370	Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Note: including application of the Federal Rules of Evidence in criminal proceedings and criminal rules of a court of appeals or state supreme court
10380	statutory construction of criminal laws: assault Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10390	statutory construction of criminal laws: bank robbery Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10400	statutory construction of criminal laws: conspiracy (cf. subconstitutional fair procedure: conspiracy) Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10410	statutory construction of criminal laws: escape from custody Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10420	statutory construction of criminal laws: false statements (cf. statutory construction of criminal laws: perjury) Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10430	statutory construction of criminal laws: financial (other than in fraud or internal revenue) Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10440	statutory construction of criminal laws: firearms Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10450	statutory construction of criminal laws: fraud Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10460	statutory construction of criminal laws: gambling Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10470	statutory construction of criminal laws: Hobbs Act; i.e., 18 USC 1951 Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws; not 28 USC 2341, the Administrative Orders Review Act
10480	statutory construction of criminal laws: immigration (cf. immigration and naturalization) Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10490	statutory construction of criminal laws: internal revenue (cf. Federal Taxation) Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10500	statutory construction of criminal laws: Mann Act and related statutes Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10510	statutory construction of criminal laws: narcotics includes regulation and prohibition of alcohol Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10520	statutory construction of criminal laws: obstruction of justice Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10530	statutory construction of criminal laws: perjury (other than as pertains to statutory construction of criminal laws: false statements) Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10540	statutory construction of criminal laws: Travel Act, 18 USC 1952 Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10550	statutory construction of criminal laws: war crimes Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10560	statutory construction of criminal laws: sentencing guidelines Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10570	statutory construction of criminal laws: miscellaneous Note: these codes, by definition exclude the constitutionality of these laws
10580	jury trial (right to, as distinct from extra-legal jury influences)
10590	speedy trial
10600	miscellaneous criminal procedure (cf. due process, prisoners' rights, comity: criminal procedure)
20010	voting
20020	Voting Rights Act of 1965, plus amendments
20030	ballot access (of candidates and political parties)
20040	desegregation (other than as pertains to school desegregation, employment discrimination, and affirmative action)
20050	desegregation, schools
20060	employment discrimination: on basis of race, age, religion, illegitimacy, national origin, or working conditions. Note: Not alienage, which is employability of aliens, or gender, which is sex discrimination in employment.
20070	affirmative action
20075	slavery or indenture
20080	sit-in demonstrations (protests against racial discrimination in places of public accommodation) Note: To be sharply distinguished from protests not involving racial discrimination. The latter are coded as protest demonstrations.
20090	reapportionment: other than plans governed by the Voting Rights Act
20100	debtors' rights
20110	deportation (cf. immigration and naturalization)
20120	employability of aliens (cf. immigration and naturalization)
20130	sex discrimination (excluding sex discrimination in employment)
20140	sex discrimination in employment (cf. sex discrimination)
20150	Indians (other than pertains to state jurisdiction over)
20160	Indians, state jurisdiction over
20170	juveniles (cf. rights of illegitimates)
20180	poverty law, constitutional Note: typically equal protection challenges over welfare benefits, including pension and medical benefits
20190	poverty law, statutory: welfare benefits, typically under some Social Security Act provision. Note: Excludes rights of illegitimates and rights of handicapped
20200	illegitimates, rights of (cf. juveniles): typically inheritance and survivor's benefits, and paternity suits
20210	handicapped, rights of: under Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act, and related statutes
20220	residency requirements: durational, plus discrimination against nonresidents
20230	military: draftee, or person subject to induction Note: cf. conscientious objectors and comity: military
20240	military: active duty Note: cf. conscientious objectors and comity: military
20250	military: veteran Note: cf. conscientious objectors and comity: military
20260	immigration and naturalization: permanent residence Note: cf. statutory construction of criminal laws: immigration, deportation, and employability of aliens
20270	immigration and naturalization: citizenship Note: cf. statutory construction of criminal laws: immigration, deportation, and employability of aliens
20280	immigration and naturalization: loss of citizenship, denaturalization Note: cf. statutory construction of criminal laws: immigration, deportation, and employability of aliens
20290	immigration and naturalization: access to public education Note: cf. statutory construction of criminal laws: immigration, deportation, and employability of aliens
20300	immigration and naturalization: welfare benefits Note: cf. statutory construction of criminal laws: immigration, deportation, and employability of aliens
20310	immigration and naturalization: miscellaneous Note: cf. statutory construction of criminal laws: immigration, deportation, and employability of aliens
20320	indigents: appointment of counsel (cf. right to counsel) Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20330	indigents: inadequate representation by counsel (cf. right to counsel) Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20340	indigents: payment of fine Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20350	indigents: costs or filing fees Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20360	indigents: U.S. Supreme Court docketing fee Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20370	indigents: transcript Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20380	indigents: assistance of psychiatrist Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20390	indigents: miscellaneous Note: procedural protections for indigents because of their indigency. Typically in matters pertaining to criminal justice. cf. poverty law, constitutional and poverty law, statutory.
20400	liability, civil rights acts (cf. liability, governmental and liability, nongovernmental; cruel and unusual punishment, non-death penalty) Note: tort actions involving liability that are based on a civil rights act
20410	miscellaneous civil rights (cf. comity: civil rights)
30010	First Amendment, miscellaneous (cf. comity: First Amendment)
30020	commercial speech, excluding attorneys
30030	libel, defamation: defamation of public officials and public and private persons
30040	libel, privacy: true and false light invasions of privacy
30050	legislative investigations: concerning internal security only
30060	federal or state internal security legislation: Smith, Internal Security, and related federal statutes
30070	loyalty oath or non-Communist affidavit (other than bar applicants, government employees, political party, or teacher)
30080	loyalty oath: bar applicants (cf. admission to bar, state or federal or U.S. Supreme Court)
30090	loyalty oath: government employees
30100	loyalty oath: political party
30110	loyalty oath: teachers
30120	security risks: denial of benefits or dismissal of employees for reasons other than failure to meet loyalty oath requirements
30130	conscientious objectors (cf. military draftee or military active duty) to military service
30140	campaign spending (cf. governmental corruption): Note: financing electoral costs other than as regulated by the Taft-Hartley Act. Typically involves the Federal Election Campaign Act
30150	protest demonstrations (other than as pertains to sit-in demonstrations): demonstrations and other forms of protest based on First Amendment guarantees
30160	free exercise of religion
30170	establishment of religion (other than as pertains to parochiaid:)
30180	parochiaid: government aid to religious schools, or religious requirements in public schools
30190	obscenity, state (cf. comity: privacy): including the regulation of sexually explicit material under the 21st Amendment
30200	obscenity, federal
40010	due process: miscellaneous (cf. loyalty oath), the residual code
40020	due process: hearing or notice (other than as pertains to government employees or prisoners' rights) Note: hearing may be statutorily based
40030	due process: hearing, government employees
40040	due process: prisoners' rights and defendants' rights
40050	due process: impartial decision maker
40060	due process: jurisdiction (jurisdiction over non-resident litigants)
40070	due process: takings clause, or other non-constitutional governmental taking of property
50010	privacy (cf. libel, comity: privacy)
50020	abortion: including contraceptives
50030	right to die
50040	Freedom of Information Act and related federal or state statutes or regulations
60010	attorneys' and governmental employees' or officials' fees or compensation or licenses
60020	commercial speech, attorneys (cf. commercial speech)
60030	admission to a state or federal bar, disbarment, and attorney discipline (cf. loyalty oath: bar applicants)
60040	admission to, or disbarment from, Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court
70010	arbitration (in the context of labor-management or employer-employee relations) (cf. arbitration)
70020	union antitrust: legality of anticompetitive union activity
70030	union or closed shop: includes agency shop litigation
70040	Fair Labor Standards Act
70050	Occupational Safety and Health Act
70060	union-union member dispute (except as pertains to union or closed shop)
70070	labor-management disputes: bargaining
70080	labor-management disputes: employee discharge
70090	labor-management disputes: distribution of union literature
70100	labor-management disputes: representative election
70110	labor-management disputes: antistrike injunction
70120	labor-management disputes: jurisdictional dispute
70130	labor-management disputes: right to organize
70140	labor-management disputes: picketing
70150	labor-management disputes: secondary activity
70160	labor-management disputes: no-strike clause
70170	labor-management disputes: union representatives
70180	labor-management disputes: union trust funds (cf. ERISA)
70190	labor-management disputes: working conditions
70200	labor-management disputes: miscellaneous dispute
70210	miscellaneous union
80010	antitrust (except in the context of mergers and union antitrust)
80020	mergers
80030	bankruptcy (except in the context of priority of federal fiscal claims)
80040	sufficiency of evidence: typically in the context of a jury's determination of compensation for injury or death
80050	election of remedies: legal remedies available to injured persons or things
80060	liability, governmental: tort or contract actions by or against government or governmental officials other than defense of criminal actions brought under a civil rights action.
80070	liability, other than as in sufficiency of evidence, election of remedies, punitive damages
80080	liability, punitive damages
80090	Employee Retirement Income Security Act (cf. union trust funds)
80100	state or local government tax Note: those challenged on the basis of the supremacy clause and the 21st Amendment may also locate in national supremacy: intergovernmental tax immunity or national supremacy: state tax
80105	state and territorial land claims Note: those challenged on the basis of the supremacy clause and the 21st Amendment may also locate in national supremacy: intergovernmental tax immunity or national supremacy: state tax
80110	state or local government regulation, especially of business (cf. federal pre-emption of state court jurisdiction, federal pre-emption of state legislation or regulation)
80120	federal or state regulation of securities
80130	natural resources - environmental protection (cf. national supremacy: natural resources, national supremacy: pollution)
80140	corruption, governmental or governmental regulation of other than as in campaign spending
80150	zoning: constitutionality of such ordinances, or restrictions on owners' or lessors' use of real property
80160	arbitration (other than as pertains to labor-management or employer-employee relations (cf. union arbitration)
80170	federal or state consumer protection: typically under the Truth in Lending; Food, Drug and Cosmetic; and Consumer Protection Credit Acts
80180	patents and copyrights: patent
80190	patents and copyrights: copyright
80200	patents and copyrights: trademark
80210	patents and copyrights: patentability of computer processes
80220	federal or state regulation of transportation regulation: railroad
80230	federal and some few state regulations of transportation regulation: boat
80240	federal and some few state regulation of transportation regulation:truck, or motor carrier
80250	federal and some few state regulation of transportation regulation: pipeline (cf. federal public utilities regulation: gas pipeline)
80260	federal and some few state regulation of transportation regulation: airline
80270	federal and some few state regulation of public utilities regulation: electric power
80280	federal and some few state regulation of public utilities regulation: nuclear power
80290	federal and some few state regulation of public utilities regulation: oil producer
80300	federal and some few state regulation of public utilities regulation: gas producer
80310	federal and some few state regulation of public utilities regulation: gas pipeline (cf. federal transportation regulation: pipeline)
80320	federal and some few state regulation of public utilities regulation: radio and television (cf. cable television)
80330	federal and some few state regulation of public utilities regulation: cable television (cf. radio and television)
80340	federal and some few state regulations of public utilities regulation: telephone or telegraph company
80350	miscellaneous economic regulation
90010	comity: civil rights Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90020	comity: criminal procedure Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90030	comity: First Amendment Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90040	comity: habeas corpus Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90050	comity: military Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90060	comity: obscenity Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90070	comity: privacy Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90080	comity: miscellaneous Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90090	comity primarily removal cases, civil procedure (cf. comity, criminal and First Amendment); deference to foreign judicial tribunals Note: propriety of federal court deference to ongoing state judicial or state or federal quasi-judicial proceedings, the abstention doctrine, exhaustion of state provided remedies
90100	assessment of costs or damages: as part of a court order
90110	Federal Rules of Civil Procedure including Supreme Court Rules, application of the Federal Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure in civil litigation, Circuit Court Rules, and state rules and admiralty rules
90120	judicial review of administrative agency's or administrative official's actions and procedures
90130	mootness (cf. standing to sue: live dispute)
90140	venue
90150	no merits: writ improvidently granted Note: use only if the syllabus or the summary holding specifies one of the following bases.
90160	no merits: dismissed or affirmed for want of a substantial or properly presented federal question, or a nonsuit Note: use only if the syllabus or the summary holding specifies one of the following bases.
90170	no merits: dismissed or affirmed for want of jurisdiction (cf. judicial administration: Supreme Court jurisdiction or authority on appeal from federal district courts or courts of appeals) Note: use only if the syllabus or the summary holding specifies one of the following bases.
90180	no merits: adequate non-federal grounds for decision Note: use only if the syllabus or the summary holding specifies one of the following bases.
90190	no merits: remand to determine basis of state or federal court decision (cf. judicial administration: state law) Note: use only if the syllabus or the summary holding specifies one of the following bases.
90200	no merits: miscellaneous Note: use only if the syllabus or the summary holding specifies one of the following bases.
90210	standing to sue: adversary parties
90220	standing to sue: direct injury
90230	standing to sue: legal injury
90240	standing to sue: personal injury
90250	standing to sue: justiciable question
90260	standing to sue: live dispute
90270	standing to sue: parens patriae standing
90280	standing to sue: statutory standing
90290	standing to sue: private or implied cause of action
90300	standing to sue: taxpayer's suit
90310	standing to sue: miscellaneous
90320	judicial administration: jurisdiction or authority of federal district courts or territorial courts Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court (cf. no merits: dismissed for want of jurisdiction)
90330	judicial administration: jurisdiction or authority of federal courts of appeals Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90340	judicial administration: Supreme Court jurisdiction or authority on appeal or writ of error, from federal district courts or courts of appeals (cf. 753) Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90350	judicial administration: Supreme Court jurisdiction or authority on appeal or writ of error, from highest state court Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90360	judicial administration: jurisdiction or authority of the Court of Claims Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90370	judicial administration: Supreme Court's original jurisdiction Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90380	judicial administration: review of non-final order Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90390	judicial administration: change in state law (cf. no merits: remand to determine basis of state court decision) Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90400	judicial administration: federal question (cf. no merits: dismissed for want of a substantial or properly presented federal question) Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90410	judicial administration: ancillary or pendent jurisdiction Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90420	judicial administration: extraordinary relief (e.g., mandamus, injunction) Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90430	judicial administration: certification (cf. objection to reason for denial of certiorari or appeal) Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90440	judicial administration: resolution of circuit conflict, or conflict between or among other courts Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90450	judicial administration: objection to reason for denial of certiorari or appeal Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90460	judicial administration: collateral estoppel or res judicata Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90470	judicial administration: interpleader Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90480	judicial administration: untimely filing Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90490	judicial administration: Act of State doctrine Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90500	judicial administration: miscellaneous Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90510	Supreme Court's certiorari, writ of error, or appeals jurisdiction Note: jurisdiction of the federal courts or of the Supreme Court
90520	miscellaneous judicial power, especially diversity jurisdiction
100010	federal-state ownership dispute (cf. Submerged Lands Act)
100020	federal pre-emption of state court jurisdiction Note: almost always found in the context of labor union activity. Does not involve constitutional interpretation. Rests rather on a primary jurisdiction rationale
100030	federal pre-emption of state legislation or regulation. cf. state regulation of business. rarely involves union activity. Does not involve constitutional interpretation unless the Court says it does.
100040	Submerged Lands Act (cf. federal-state ownership dispute)
100050	national supremacy: commodities Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100060	national supremacy: intergovernmental tax immunity Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100070	national supremacy: marital and family relationships and property, including obligation of child support Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100080	national supremacy: natural resources (cf. natural resources - environmental protection) Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100090	national supremacy: pollution, air or water (cf. natural resources - environmental protection) Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100100	national supremacy: public utilities (cf. federal public utilities regulation) Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100110	national supremacy: state tax (cf. state tax) Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100120	national supremacy: miscellaneous Note: in the context of federal-state conflicts involving the general welfare, supremacy, or interstate commerce clauses, the 11th or 21st Amendments, or the enforcement clause of the 14th Amendment. Distinguishable from federal pre-emption because of a constitutional basis for decision.
100130	miscellaneous federalism Note: cf. Indians, state jurisdiction over; comity; adequate non-federal grounds for decision; remand to determine basis of state court decision; judicial administration: Supreme Court jurisdiction or authority on appeal from highest state court, change in state law, or ancillary or pendent jurisdiction
110010	boundary dispute between states
110020	non-real property dispute between states
110030	miscellaneous interstate relations conflict
110033	incorporation of foreign territories Note: prior to 2014 Release 01, id = 10595
120010	federal taxation, typically under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code Note: except as pertains to federal taxation of gifts or priority of federal fiscal claims
120020	federal taxation of gifts, personal, business, or professional expenses
120030	priority of federal fiscal claims: over those of the states or private entities
120040	miscellaneous federal taxation (cf. national supremacy: state tax)
130010	legislative veto
130015	executive authority vis-a-vis congress or the states Note: prior to 2014 Release 01, id = 100035
130020	miscellaneous
140010	real property
140020	personal property
140030	contracts
140040	evidence
140050	civil procedure
140060	torts
140070	wills and trusts
140080	commercial transactions