If the adage about the devil being in the details holds true, then a recent question takes on an unexpectedly legal twist. The inquiry, posed to the legal community, revolves around something seemingly mundane – the typeface used in a federal circuit court’s published decisions. But as trivial as it may seem, this detail can allow one to identify the specific court in question.
Posted on the legal news website, Above The Law, the question asked readers to identify a specific federal circuit court that uniquely publishes its decisions in the Courier New typeface.
For those unaware, typefaces or fonts have their own history, culture, and, in some circles, fiercely loyal followings. And while most federal circuit courts publish their decisions in the widely popular Times New Roman font, established since the mid-1930s, there is one judicial rebel that opts for Courier New.
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Did you know? Times New Roman is the typeface of choice for seven of federal circuit courts in the United States.
The identity of the federal circuit court continues to stir up a debate amongst typeface aficionados and the legal professionals alike. However, the answer is out there for those diligent enough to dig a little deeper into their court documents. As we peel back the layers of this intriguing legal trivia, the insight it offers us isn’t strictly visual. It’s a testament to the subtle ways in which even the fonts we use can reflect our identities and preferences – or, in this case, the identity of an entire federal circuit.
So, can you identify a federal circuit court by the font they use?