Under what conditions is the chief justice more likely to set aside her or his own policy views and assign an opinion to a justice with different ideological views?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When there is fragile support for a majority position favored by the chief justice, he or she may try to assign the opinion to a justice with different ideological views in order to secure a stronger majority and ensure the court's decision is more widely accepted. This is known as "minimizing dissent" and is often seen as a tactic to preserve the court's legitimacy. Other factors, such as the involvement of outside interest groups or public opinion, may also play a role in the chief justice's decision-making, but are less likely to be the primary considerations.

Under What Conditions Is the Chief Justice More Likely to Set