Winning Sports and the Effect on Law

Dave Hoffman of Temple University celebrates the Phillies NL East title by wondering what effect the success or failure of local teams has on the legal decisions and legal rules that get made in the local community basking in the joyous atmosphere of victory. He speculates that a Philadelphia jury this week might be more receptive to claims by a small, powerless plaintiff, while a Queens jury would be especially hostile to new legal claims.

Dave focuses on judicial decisions, but the phenomenon, if it exists, also might extend to other branches of state and local government. What sorts of laws and policies does the city council enact? What initiatives does the mayor take? And, more practically, what effect does winning have on law enforcement--do police go easier on speeders or double-parkers or graffiti artists and other "quality of life" violators?

Thoughts?

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