Judge Restricts Legal Briefs in Arizona Immigration Law Case

The United States District Court Judge who will be ruling on the five lawsuits that have been filed against Arizona's new immigration law, has ordered page limits on amicus curiae briefs that are filed in the case.

From the Associated Press:

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton has imposed limits on so-called "friend of the court" briefs filed by groups that aren't plaintiffs or defendants in the case.

Bolton's order lifts a requirement for the state to respond to all briefs and imposes size limits on new briefs being filed.

She says the many briefs being filed in the case (in her words) "may well jeopardize the court's ability to rule" by July 29 on a request to prohibit the law from taking effect that date.

But Bolton also says there's an interest in having the court hear views of interested parties that file briefs of reasonable length.

Amicus curiae briefs, or "friend of the court" briefs are filed by non-parties to a lawsuit who claim an interest in the outcome of the case. In the case of Arizona's new Immigration Law, and the passions aroused thereby, the Court is no doubt being flooded by amicus briefs.