Supreme Court Opinions--Style and Substance: An Appeal for Reform

The inherent ambiguity of language vests in the United States Supreme Court considerable power to shape the Constitution and laws through interpretation. By exercising that power, the Court profoundly affects the lives of American citizens. But the Court's opinions are largely incomprehensible to the general public because of obscure language, daunting length, confusing structure, and lack of consensus. The author makes an impassioned appeal to reintroduce simplicity into Supreme Court opinions.