Frequently, the vote is shaped more by political considerations or party pressures than by justice. Statutes affecting those rights are applied and interpreted by judges who are charged with developing the common law in the light of reason and justice. In some instances, it is a court's responsibility to strike down legislation that violates federal or state constitutions. One way is through ATLA's amicus curiae program. Over the past few decades, amicus briefs have become increasingly common in high-profile cases, particularly those before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Many organizations rely on amicus briefs to promote their legal interpretations and policy views.
It often happens that in cases in which ATLA participates as an amicus, briefs are also submitted by the same organizations that oppose us in the legislatures. The amicus program, however, enjoys a much more level playing field than can be found in the halls of Congress and state capitols. This is because the strength of an amicus's argument is derived from legal precedent and reason, not wealth or political power. For about 30 years, ATLA has been participating as an amicus curiae in some of the most significant cases before state supreme courts, federal courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. In many of these cases, ATLA has sought to advance the substantive law of torts, the rules governing damages, or the rules of evidence.