Three Stooges
In response to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor lamenting that barely one-third of Americans can name all three branches of government:
“I bet you they can name all three stooges.” – Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
Judiciary
Several People on the Court
“The point of having several people on the court is to have differing experiences, different viewpoints, different opportunities to have looked at various aspects of the law. If everybody always agreed, we could have a one-justice court and we’d be overpaying six.” -Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
Activist Judge
“Nobody knows what activist judge means when they say it, and for the listener it doesn’t have any meaning. When you say somebody’s an activist judge, what you’re really saying is I don’t like that particular opinion. I think the people who use it think it’s a slur and it will ultimately take on their connotation.” – Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
Independent Judiciary
“Without an independent judiciary, none of us in the United States has a fair chance in court. That is what we must protect.” -Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
What Judges are For
“I certainly believe that criminals ought to be apprehended, tried, convicted and put in prison when necessary. And a lot of times it is necessary. But we are a country of laws. And we do all of that according to laws. And that’s what judges are there for.” -Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
Judicial Arrogance
“Judges’ vast power over lawyers and litigants sometimes brings forth judges’ arrogance, not humility.” -Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
Atticus Finch
“Most of us began law school or entered the practice of law picturing ourselves as Atticus Finch, the fictional lawyer in To Kill a Mockingbird, whose representation of an unpopular criminal defendant required him to take a fresh look at legal services and at society. We saw ourselves, like Atticus, advocating for or in some way assisting people regardless of race, religion, financial status, unpopularity of the cause, or financial consequences to ourselves. . . . Let us reawaken the spirit of Atticus Finch in each of us. Let each of us take a fresh look at the justice system. And let all of us recommit ourselves to the ideal of making access to justice a reality for all.” -Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
The Third Branch
“The third branch is the least understood branch of government. If we are able to maintain the respect of people for the work of the courts, we must ensure that our partnership with the public is a strong one. We can strengthen that partnership by acknowledging that the litigants and the bar are consumers of our services, and by looking at our roles from the perspective of those who appear before us and that of the entire community we serve.” – Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
Career in judiciary
“I would strongly urge the women in the audience to consider a career in the judiciary. Judging seems to be tailor-made for women. Judging is physically light work—generally no heavy lifting is required. Judges are often heard to complain that they are overworked and underpaid, characteristics typically ascribed to ‘women’s work.’ And should a judge decide to bear a child, her robe is a perfect maternity dress.”
To Ensure a Truly Just Legal System
“To ensure a truly just legal system, one that reflects the history and hopes of this state, there must be greater public participation in the justice system.” – Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson