Document Type
Brief
Publication Date
10-24-2018
Abstract
Amici are eighteen scholars across six disciplines whose work includes the leading empirical studies of persons convicted of sexual offenses and the laws applied to them. The Appendix identifies them and describes their work.
Amici believe it critical that judicial decisions affecting constitutional rights be grounded on an accurate understanding of empirical realities. At the very least, they should not propagate misunderstandings. Unfortunately, such misunderstandings are commonplace and often traceable to language in early opinions of this Court. The Seventh Circuit opinion in this case is an example. It relies on mistaken assumptions about both the re-offense risks posed by those to whom the laws apply, and the impact of residential exclusions on the likelihood of their re-offending. Amici wish to provide the Court with accurate descriptions of the scientific studies addressing these subjects. We urge the Court to grant Petitioners' request-not only to correctly settle the law, but also to ensure that consequential but mistaken factual assumptions do not continue to infect it.
Recommended Citation
Prescott, J. J., "Vasquez v. Foxx: Brief of Eighteen Scholars as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioners" (2018). Appellate Briefs. 52.
https://repository.law.umich.edu/briefs/52
Comments
Amicus: Agan, Professor Amanda; Carpenter, Professor Catherine L.; Ellman, Professor Ira; Hanson, Professor R. Karl Ph.D.; Janus, Professor Eric; Leo, Professor Richard A. Ph.D.; Leon, Professor Chrysanthi Ph.D.; Levenson, Professor Jill S. Ph.D.; Logan, Professor Wayne A.; Lytle, Professor Robert D.; Miner, Professor Michael H. Ph.D.; Prescott, Professor J.J. Ph.D.; Sample, Professor Lisa L.; Simon, Professor Jonathan Ph.D.; Slobogin, Professor Christopher; Socia, Professor Kelly Ph.D.; Wollert, Professor Richard Ph.D.; Zimring, Professor Franklin