Inside the Supreme Court

Petition to Decision

Papers of Supreme Court Justices on Civil Rights Cases

David Achtenberg

Professor & Law Foundation Scholar

UMKC School of Law

Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

816-235-2382

AchtenbergD@umkc.edu

Jett Home
 
Timeline
Part 1
 
Timeline
Part 2
 
Timeline
Part 3
 
Timeline
Part 4
 
Abbreviations
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jett v. Dallas Independent School District

Timeline

 

 Part 1
Deciding to Grant Review
First Filings to Grant of Certiorari
Part 2
Briefing, Argument & Decision on the Merits
Grant of Certiorari to First Conference
Part 3
Drafting the Opinions
F
irst Drafts to Final Decisions
Part 4
After the Decision
Petition for Rehearing and Post Decision Events

 

          Coverage:  This page is a chronological timeline of the Court’s internal discussion and handling of Jett from the petitioner's earliest filings through the announcement of the decision in the case.  The timeline is divided into four sections which can be accessed through the buttons above or the ones in the yellow navigation area.

 

         Accessing Documents:  Each event is linked to all the documents in the Blackmun, Brennan, Marshall, and Powell files (as well as some documents from additional sources) that relate to that event.  To access a document, click on its link.  In the illustration below, you would click the link indicated by the red arrow to access the copy of Justice Powell's Opinion log that was found in his files.  (The links do not work on this illustration which is not from the Jett files.  To experiment, go to the timeline itself.) 

 

   

       

          Duplicate Documents:  When more than one copy of a document was found, I have included and linked all copies.  When a particular justice’s copy of a document contains additional annotations or markings, the link to that copy ends with an asterisk.   In the illustration above, the asterisks at the end of the circled entries indicate that both Justice Marshall and Justice Powell (or their clerks) made notes on their respective copies of the first draft of Justice Brennan's majority opinion.

        

          Abbreviations:  I have abbreviated the names of the justices, their clerks, and a few other persons.  A key to all abbreviations can be accessed by clicking the abbreviations button in the yellow navigation area. 

 

          Dates:  If the date of an event is unclear, estimated or derived, the date is underlined and the date is linked to an explanation. 

 

          Higher Resolution Copies:  Most of the documents are presented in comparatively small pdf files which should be adequate for most uses.  Please let me know if you think that any particular image needs to be replaced with a higher resolution version.  I will also be happy to send higher resolution copies (or original JPEGs) of any images to anyone who needs them.  For further information about how the documents were photographed, edited and converted to pdf files, click here to go to the Image Creation and Conversion Protocol Page

 

          Sources and Citation:  For an explanation of how to determine the original archive location of any document, click here to go to the Document Source Page.

 

Jett Home
 
Timeline
Part 1
 
Timeline
Part 2
 
Timeline
Part 3
 
Timeline
Part 4
 
Abbreviations










Jett Home
 
Timeline
Part 1
 
Timeline
Part 2
 
Timeline
Part 3
 
Timeline
Part 4
 
Abbreviations










Jett Home
 
Timeline
Part 1
 
Timeline
Part 2
 
Timeline
Part 3
 
Timeline
Part 4
 
Abbreviations












Jett Home
 
Timeline
Part 1
 
Timeline
Part 2
 
Timeline
Part 3
 
Timeline
Part 4
 
Abbreviations










Jett Home
 
Timeline
Part 1
 
Timeline
Part 2
 
Timeline
Part 3
 
Timeline
Part 4
 
Abbreviations










Jett Home
 
Timeline
Part 1
 
Timeline
Part 2
 
Timeline
Part 3
 
Timeline
Part 4
 
Abbreviations

Jett Timeline—Part 1  
Deciding to Grant Review: First Filings to Grant of Certiorari (4/15/88-11/21/88)  
    Documents
Event Date HAB WJB TM BRW Other
Petitioner Jett files motion for additional time to file petition  04-15-88         Docket-Jett
BRW grants motion for additional time until 6/4/88 04-18-88         Docket-Jett
Jett files further motion for additional time 05-18-88         Docket-Jett
BRW grants motion for additional time until 6/14/88 05-19-88         Docket-Jett
Jett files further motion for additional time 06-14-88         Docket-Jett
BRW grants motion for additional time until 6/21/88 06-14-88         Docket-Jett
Jett files Petition for Writ of Certiorari 06-21-88         Docket-Jett  
        Petition-Jett
Time for response extended to 8/20/88 07-18-88         Docket-Jett
District files Cross-Petition for Writ of Certiorari 07-21-88         Docket-District
        Petition-District
District files Brief in Opposition 08-18-88         Docket-Jett
        BIO-District
Petition distributed to chambers for 9/26/88 conference 09-07-88         Docket-Jett
Cross-Petition distributed to chambers for 9/26/88 conference 09-07-88         Docket-District
JPS calls for a response to District's Cross Petition (due 10/15/88) 09-15-88         Docket-District
EL circulates memo to pool re Petition recommending granting on Jett's 42 USC 1981 claim (that Monell analysis should not apply to 1981 claims), denying on Jett's 42 USC 1983 claim (that Monell was satisfied in this case), and calling for a response to the District's Cross-Petition. 09-16-88 Memo EL to Pool        
MET writes memo to TM recommending granting on both of Jett's issues 09-16-88     Memo MET to TM    
EL circulates memo to pool re Cross-Petition simply referring to his pool memo on the Petition. 09-19-88 Memo EL to Pool        
EL annotates his 9/16/88 pool memo for HAB and raises (but rejects) the possibility of holding the §1983 issue pending City of Canton.  Also suggests that his recommended call for response anticipates granting the District's Cross-Petition. 09-19-88 Memo EL to Pool        
EL annotates his 9/19/88 pool memo for HAB and suggests calling for a response in anticipation of granting the District's Cross-Petition. 09-19-88 Memo EL to Pool         
Jett files Brief in Opposition to Cross-Petition 10-14-88         Docket-District
        BIO-Jett
Petition and Cross Petition redistributed to chambers for 11/4/88 conference. 10-19-88         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
MET annotates her 9/16/88 memo indicating that Jett's Brief in Opposition to the Cross-Petition does not change her recommendation. 10-26-88     Memo MET to TM    
EPR writes memo to WJB recommending granting on all three issues or joining 3.   11-04-88   Memo EPR to WJB      
Case is discussed in conference and certiorari is granted limited to Question 1 in Jett's petition and is granted with respect to the District's Cross-Petition.  The two cases are consolidated for one hour of argument.  The vote is 6-3 to grant Jett's Petition.  It is 4-5 (per HAB and TM) or 5-4.(per WJB) to grant District's Cross-Petition.    11-04-88 HAB Docket (Vote Record)-Jett WJB Docket (Vote Record)-Jett TM Docket (Vote Record)-Jett   Docket-Jett
HAB Docket (Vote Record)-District WJB Docket (Vote Record)-District TM Docket (Vote Record)-District   Docket-District
  Memo EPR to WJB      
Order granting certiorari issued. 11-07-88 HAB Docket (Vote Record)-Jett WJB Docket (Vote Record)-Jett TM Docket (Vote Record)-Jett   Docket-Jett
HAB Docket (Vote Record)-District WJB Docket (Vote Record)-District TM Docket (Vote Record)-District   Docket-District
Court orders that Jett will file the opening brief and the District will file the closing brief in both cases. 11-21-88         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Jett  Timeline—Part 2  
Briefing, Argument & Decision on the Merits (12/1/88-3/31/89)  
    Documents
Event Date HAB WJB TM BRW Other
Record filed in both cases 12-01-88         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Court extends Jett's time to file brief on the merits to 1/4/89 12-01-88         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Brief of Petition/Respondent Jett filed 01-04-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
        Petitioner Brief
Brief of Amici NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund  et al. filed 01-04-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
        LDF Brief
Brief of Amicus National Education Association filed 01-04-89   Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
        NEA  Brief
Joint Appendix Filed 01-04-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Joint Appendix
Cases set for oral argument on 3/28/89 02-03-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Brief of Respondent/Petitioner District filed 02-03-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
        Respondent  Brief
Brief of Amici International City Managers Association et al. filed 02-03-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
        ICMA Brief
Briefs circulated to chambers 02-21-89     Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Reply Brief of Petition/Respondent Jett filed 03-06-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
        Reply  Brief
EBF writes bench memo to HAB.  EBF recommends that HAB vote reverse on the first claim (holding that the Monell standard should not apply to § 1981 claims) and remand on the second claim for application of the Praprotnik standard to Jett's 1983 claims.   03-25-89 Memo EBF to HAB        
Oral Argument Questions        
HAB prepares handwritten pre-argument notes indicating he intends to rule for Jett on § 1981 claim on the basis that respondeat superior applies to such claims without regard to Monell.  He indicates that he wants to apply the Praprotnik standard to Jett's § 1983 claim 03-26-89 HAB Pre-Argument Notes        
Transcript        
LH writes pre-argument memo to WJB.  LH recommends that WJB vote reverse on the first claim (holding that the Monell standard should not apply to § 1981 claims) and to affirm on the second claim in order to permit the lower courts to apply the Praprotnik standard to Jett's 1983 claims.   03-26-89   Memo LH to WJB      
Case is argued 03-28-89         Docket-Jett
HAB Argument Notes Docket-District
Transcript       Oral Argument Transcript & Audio
WJB prepares typed remarks on Jett for delivery at the conference 03-30-89   WJB Notes for Conference      
Case discussed in conference.  Court votes 5-4 to affirm on § 1981 issue and 9-0 to affirm on District's Cross-Petition re § 1983 issue. 03-31-89 HAB Conference Notes WJB Conference Notes TM Conference Notes -Jett    
Transcript Transcript Transcript    
    TM Conference Notes -District    
HAB Docket (Vote Record)-Jett  WJB Docket (Vote Record)-Jett TM Docket (Vote Record)-Jett    
HAB Docket (Vote Record)-District WJB Docket (Vote Record)-District TM Docket (Vote Record)-District    
WJB writes TM, HAB, & JPS stating that he will write the dissent 03-31-89 Memo WJB to TM, HAB & JPS Memo WJB to TM, HAB & JPS Memo WJB to TM, HAB & JPS    
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
             
             
Jett Timeline—Part 3  
Drafting the Opinions: From First Drafts to Final Opinions (5/22/89-6/22/89)  
    Documents
Event Date HAB WJB TM BRW Other
SDO circulates 1st Draft Opinion 05-22-89   SDO 1st Draft* SDO 1st Draft* SDO 1st Draft*  
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
TM annotates SDO 1st Draft indicating he will await the dissent 05-23-89     SDO 1st Draft*    
BRW annotates SDO draft indicating he will join. 05-23-89       SDO 1st Draft*  
BRW writes SDO indicating he will join SDO 1st Draft 05-24-89 Memo BRW to SDO Memo BRW to SDO Memo BRW to SDO Memo BRW to SDO  
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
JPS writes SDO indicating he will await the dissent 05-24-89 Memo JPS to SDO Memo JPS to SDO Memo JPS to SDO Memo JPS to SDO
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
TM writes SDO indicating he will await the dissent 05-24-89 Memo TM to SDO Memo TM to SDO Memo TM to SDO Memo TM to SDO
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
WHR writes SDO indicating he will join SDO 1st Draft 05-24-89 Memo WHR to SDO Memo WHR to SDO Memo WHR to SDO Memo WHR to SDO
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
WJB writes SDO indicating that he will write a dissent 05-25-13 Memo WJB to SDO Memo WJB to SDO Memo WJB to SDO Memo WJB to SDO
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
EL writes memo to HAB recommending that HAB await dissent 05-25-89 Memo EL to HAB        
SDO circulates 2nd Draft Opinion 05-25-89   SDO 2d Draft SDO 2d Draft SDO 2d Draft
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
AMK writes SDO indicating he wil join SDO 2nd Draft 05-30-89 Memo AMK to SDO Memo AMK to SDO Memo AMK to SDO Memo AMK to SDO
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
AGS circulates 1st Draft Concurrence 05-30-89 AGS 1st Draft* AGS 1st Draft AGS 1st Draft AGS 1st Draft
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
Court meets to discuss anticipated dates to hand down opinions in the remaining cases.  WHR circulates memo to conference listing the cases--including Jett--expected to be handed down the week of June 12.   06-01-89   Memo WHR to Conf      
SDO circulates 3rd Draft Opinion 06-07-89 SDO 3d Draft SDO 3d Draft SDO 3d Draft SDO 3d Draft
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
WHR circulates memo to conference listing case to be handed down on the week of June 12.   06-07-89   Memo WHR to Conf      
WJB annotates WHR 6/7/89 memo indicating that someone (probably WJB himself) will "need [a] few days." 06-07-89   Memo WHR to Conf      
WHR circulates memo to conference listing cases to be handed down the weeks of June 19 and June 26.  Jett is listed to be handed down the week of June 19. 06-08-89   Memo WHR to Conf      
WJB circulates 1st Draft Dissent 06-20-89 WJB 1st Draft WJB 1st Draft WJB 1st Draft* WJB 1st Draft
HAB Opinion Log WJB Opinion Log      
TM annotates WJB Draft Dissent indicating he will join. 06-20-89     WJB 1st Draft*    
TM writes WJB indicating he will join dissent 06-20-89 Memo TM to WJB Memo TM to WJB Memo TM to WJB Memo TM to WJB
HAB Opinion Log        
JPS writes WJB indicating he will join WJB's dissent.  On the copy sent to WJB (but not on other copies) he adds a postscript asking that WJB modify one sentence to avoid describing an aspect of the Court's decision as "foolhardy."  06-20-89 Memo JPS to WJB Memo JPS to WJB* Memo JPS to WJB Memo JPS to WJB
HAB Opinion Log        
JPS circulates 1st Draft dissent 06-20-89 JPS 1st Draft JPS 1st Draft* JPS 1st Draft  
HAB Opinion Log        
SDO circulates memo to conference re cases held for Jett. 06-20-89 Memo SDO to Conf Memo SDO to Conf      
EL writes memo to HAB recommending that HAB join WJB's dissent 06-20-89 Memo EL to HAB        
HAB writes WJB indicating he will join WJB's dissent 06-21-89 Memo HAB to WJB Memo HAB to WJB Memo HAB to WJB Memo HAB to WJB
HAB Opinion Log        
WJB circulates 2nd Draft Dissent 06-21-89   WJB 2d Draft WJB 2d Draft WJB 2d Draft
HAB Opinion Log        
JPS circulates 2nd Draft Dissent 06-21-89   JPS 2d Draft JPS 2d Draft JPS 2d Draft
HAB Opinion Log        
SDO circulates 4th Draft Opinion 06-21-89   SDO 4th Draft SDO 4th Draft SDO 4th Draft
HAB Opinion Log        
WJB circulates 3rd Draft Dissent 06-21-89     WJB 3d Draft WJB 3d Draft
HAB Opinion Log        
Opinion announced 06-22-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Jett  Timeline—Part 4  
After the Decision: Post-Decision Events  7/24/89-9/11/89)  
    Documents
Event Date HAB WJB TM BRW Other
Judgment issued 07-24-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District
Record returned to Fifth Circuit 09-11-89         Docket-Jett
        Docket-District

 

 

Notes to Timeline Dates
Date Explanation
10-26-88 Date estimated based on date Jett's Brief in Opposition was distributed and date of cert conference.
03-26-89 Date estimated based on oral argument date.
03-30-89 Date estimated based on oral argument date and conference date.
05-23-89 Dates estimated based on date of SDO 1st Draft and dates of BRW's and TM's 5/24/89 memos to SDO